Costs, Effects, and Utility of Microcomputer Assisted Instruction in the Classroom

The costs, effects, and utility of mathematics instruction assisted by microcomputer presentations were compared with those of conventional classroom approaches for grades 3 and 5. In both grades, students who received microcomputer assisted instruction scored significantly higher on a standard test of total mathematics achievement and on a test of computer literacy than did those who received conventional instruction. Students in all groups scored about the same on a survey of mathematics attitudes. In grade 3 the cost per month of grade placement gain in total mathematics was about $20 per student for microcomputer assisted instruction and $33 per student for conventional instruction. These costs were about $17 and $27, respectively, in grade 5. Based on utility ratings obtained from school board members, microcomputer assisted instruction was found to have greater cost utility in both grades. Given the results reported here and by Levin, a strong case is suggested for the cost-effectiveness of grouping students on microcomputers located in classrooms.