Project CHILD (Computers Helping Instruction and Learning Development): Integrating Computers into the Elementary School. A Summative Evaluation

Abstract

Project CHILD (Computers Helping Instruction and Learning Development) is a major research project designed to develop an innovative computer-integrated instructional program for the elementary school. It has been a four-year effort funded by grants totalling $1,055,000 from the Florida Department of Education with additional support from 7 Florida school districts and over 15 business partners. Project CHILD provides a unique synthesis of effective practices, curriculum realignment, and a new organizational structure for the elementary school. The program is designed for grades K-5 and covers the subject areas of reading, language arts, and mathematics. Project CHILD provides the model, supporting materials, and integrative applications of technology to enable today's elementary school teachers to take their first steps on the bridge to the future. This paper provides a description of the program and summary of the findings from the summative evaluation phase of the project which was conducted during the 1989-90 school year. The key finding from that evaluation concluded that Project CHILD has been an effective method of teaching students. (38 references) (Author/DB)