The educational value of internet use in the home for school children: A systematic review of literature

Abstract

This article presents a systematic review of literature that explores the educational value of the Internet in the home for school aged children. Research published between 2008 and 2018 was examined and 67 items were analyzed. A range of positive, negative and neutral correlations or outcomes of home Internet use were identified across the three functions of education; academic achievement and skills, developing the individual and socialization. Overall, there were significantly more positive correlations or outcomes reported. We conclude that there is educational value in home Internet use and the value is influenced by the nature of online activities.

Keywords:

• Internet
• literature reviews
• education
• home internet

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Education under the SOW 1 – Equitable Digital Access Grant.

Notes on contributors

Rana Daoud

Rana Daoud is a PhD candidate in the School of Education at Victoria University of Wellington. Her research focus is in the fields of learning and teaching in the digital age, ICT in education, and social complex systems.

Louise Starkey

Louise Starkey is an Associate Professor in the School of Education, Victoria University of Wellington. She gained experience as a classroom teacher, curriculum leader and senior manager in a range of New Zealand secondary schools prior to following a passion to research education in a digital age. She is interested in complexity theory, educational policy and practice associated with teaching and learning in the digital age.

Elizabeth Eppel

Elizabeth Eppel is a Senior Research and Teaching Fellow in the School of Government, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. She has over twenty years' experience as a senior public servant during which she oversaw the introduction of come major policies in the education sector in the schooling tertiary and early childhood sectors including ICTs in education, NZ Curriculum review, and NCEA. Her research interests are complexity in public policy processes, governance networks, collaborative governance and digital government. She has researched information sharing across government using digital technologies, citizen attitudes to sharing information with government and using digital technologies, digital inclusion and children's experiences of using internet-enable technologies.

Tho Doan Vo

Tho Doan Vo is a PhD candidate in the School of Education at Victoria University of Wellington. His research interest is in the fields of TESOL, ESOL, CALL, MALL, CLIL, EMI and digital technologies in education.

Allan Sylvester

Allan Sylvester is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Information Management, Victoria University of Wellington. He began his career in radio, electronics and IT technology service delivery before moving into academia. His teaching and research focuses on the impact of technology on people and organisations, including digital inclusion and working with marginalised communities.