Using Affordable Technology to Decrease Digital Inequality

Results from Birmingham's One Laptop Per Child XO laptop project

Bibliographic Data

ID20509727
AuthorsShelia R Cotten (0000-0002-8657-8262, a Department of Sociology , University of Alabama – Birmingham , HHB 460, 1530 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA, corresponding author), Timothy M Hale (0000-0002-4228-465X, b Department of Sociology , University of Alabama – Birmingham , Birmingham, AL, USA E-mail), Michael Howell Moroney (c Department of Government , University of Alabama – Birmingham , Birmingham, AL, USA E-mail), Latoya J O’neal (0000-0003-4092-9220, University of Alabama at Birmingham), LaToya O'Neal (d Department of Sociology , University of Alabama – Birmingham , Birmingham, AL, USA E-mail), Casey Borch (e Department of Sociology , University of Alabama – Birmingham , Birmingham, AL, USA E-mail)
Year2011
Volume14
Issue4
Pages424-444
Publication date2011-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueInformation Communication & Society (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1369-118X • E-ISSN: 1468-4462
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/1369118x.2011.559266
OpenAlexW1960408990
LanguageEN
Citations received9
References cited33

School systems in the United States are increasingly integrating computers into the classroom. Yet, we know little about the factors that determine successful adoption, use, and attitudes toward the computers. The City Council of Birmingham, Alabama is the first in the United States to provide One Laptop Per Child XO laptops to all students in first-fifth grades in the Birmingham City School System. The purpose of this study is to present the survey results examining factors that are related to XO laptop usage and attitudes among fourth- and fifth-grade students in Birmingham City schools. The results indicate that factors vary depending upon the type of use or attitudes being examined. Teachers' use of the XO laptop in the classroom is a primary factor that is related to the frequency of XO activity use and students' attitudes toward the XOs, while teachers' ability is related to the hours of XO usage in school. These results highlight the importance of having well-trained teachers who embrace using the XO laptop in the classroom in order to facilitate positive attitudes toward technology and its use among students

Inequality · Laptop · Mathematics education · Medical education · Child Development and Digital Technology · Computer Science · Gender and Technology in Education · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Mathematics · Medicine · Psychology