Restricted access: How the internet can be used to promote reading and learning

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Derksen, Laura; Michaud-Leclerc, Catherine; Souza, Pedro C. L.
• 署名单位: University of Toronto; Laval University; University of London; Queen Mary University London
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0304-3878
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2021.102810
• 发表日期: 2022
• 关键词: INTERNET; INFORMATION; education; Development; reading; Secondary school

摘要

Can schools use the internet to promote reading and learning? We provided Wikipedia access to randomly-selected students in Malawian boarding secondary schools. Students used the online resource broadly and intensively, and found it trustworthy, including for information about news and safe sex. We find a 0.10 sigma impact on English exam scores, and a higher impact among low achievers (0.20 sigma). Students used Wikipedia to study Biology, and exam scores increased for low achievers (0.14 sigma). Our results show that by restricting internet access to a source of engaging and accessible reading material, it is possible to encourage independent reading and affect educational outcomes.