The Impact of Home Internet Access on Test Scores By Steve Macho

Chapter Two

Background

Students and the Internet

“One of the most common activities that youth perform online is schoolwork,” specifically, 94% of 12 to 17 year olds who use the Internet, report that they used it for schoolwork (Levin & Arafeh, 2002, p. 1). This widespread use of the Internet is likely to impact student learning. The resource of the Internet is fundamentally different from other educational resources because it does not require physical access to the school (e.g., independent of space and time). Internet savvy students can perform their schoolwork independent of time restrictions because they can access school resources for their homework independent of the hours of operation for the school. Internet savvy students can access resources independent of physical space. They can access school resources for their homework independent of the physical location of the school. Breaking the barriers of space and time is a part of the value the Internet delivers to all of its users. This potentially meaningful access to the Internet is however dependent upon the access existing for the students when they are not in school but presumably at home.