PSYCHOLOGY - COMPUTERS AND CLASSROOM SOCIAL PROCESSES - A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

The impact of computer use on classroom structure and functioning is e xamined. The most consistently found effect is an increase in motivati on and closely related constructs. Computer use also appears to foster peer interaction, typically of a cooperative and mutually supportive nature. In addition, teachers often shift from whole group instruction al methods emphasizing lecturing to interacting more with individuals or small groups of students in a more individualized and student-cente red way. Although such outcomes appear common, the article also warns against thinking of computer use as a unitary independent variable wit h readily predictable effects. It points out that teachers' construal of and decisions about the use of software are vitally important in in fluencing outcomes, as are the existing culture and social structure o f the school and classroom. It also suggests that unanticipated change s in classroom structure and functioning often are coincident with com puter use and may account for some of the effects commonly attributed to it.