An Examination of the Relationships Between Student Conduct and the Number of Computers per Student in Florida Schools

Abstract

The relationship between the numbers of computers in schools and student conduct was investigated using school-level data reported to the Department of Education by all Florida school districts for the 1993–1994, 1994–1995, and 1995–1996 school years. Computer use was defined as the total number of computers used for instruction, and student conduct was defined as the number of conduct violations and number of disciplinary actions taken. In addition, school attendance and staff turnover rates were analyzed. Results from the research among Florida schools reporting consistent increased use of computers in instruction revealed: (a) Elementary schools witnessed fewer conduct violations (effect sizes ranged from −0.67 to 0.04) and disciplinary actions (effect sizes ranged from −0.13 to −0.10), (b) middle/junior high schools experienced fewer conduct violations (effect sizes ranged from −0.35 to −0.14) and disciplinary actions (−0.21 to −0.18), and (c) high schools experienced fewer crimes against property (effect size −0.26) and fewer total numbers of conduct violations (effect size −0.23) were witnessed.

Keywords:

• computers
• educational technology
• student conduct
• technology