Oxford University study proves access to internet offers educational advantage

In a recent longitudinal study conducted by Oxford University, UK teens with access to the internet at home were found to be at a distinct educational advantage than those that did not.

The study set out to examine the way in which teens use the internet and mobile devices and to identify whether this had a correlation with educational attainment. Between 2008 and 2011 more than 200 teenagers and their families were involved in the study, regularly updating the research team via face-to-face interviews.

In the initial interview phase the study identified high levels of parental anxiety towards the internet's potential to distract teens from serious study. However, the research evidence found no such relationship existed. In fact quite the opposite; teens with access to the internet at home were found to achieve better grades academically. While figures on the level of internet access in the home have risen year-on-year, what this means is that in the UK, 5% of the teen population still do not have access to the internet at home â€" leaving some 300,000 children at an educational disadvantage.

For many of the students interviewed the internet had become a central resource for research, advice and information sharing, without it they would be unable to produce work to the same standard.

As well as the detrimental effects academically, teens revealed that a lack of internet access in the home didn't just affect their studies but also their social experiences and feelings of social acceptance.

These findings may not appear surprising but in fact they contradict a large body of past research that suggests technology distracts students from serious study. According to Dr Chris Davies, a researcher at the University, the evidence found that parental anxiety towards the internet and more specifically the distraction caused by social networks was not supported.

In many cases parents discourage the use of online resources when in reality they should embrace it.

LearnersCloud, an online GCSE revision resource offers students access to their complete syllabus, delivered as streaming video tutorials. They too have identified similar trends following a series of group interviews, "Many parents are unsure about the value the internet offers to their child's study. Issues such as trolling, bullying and racism have been widely publicised, which has only increased skepticism. Yes we agree, e-safety should be a parents first priority but with their support, guidance and encouragement the internet can be a highly effective tool for learning", Joseph Caxton, Technical Director.

The Oxford University study based on a survey and hundreds of face-to-face interviews is an important body of research drawing attention to the effects that some of our mislaid concerns as parents can have on our Child's academic attainment. The issue seems to be that parents are focusing on the negative side of mobile learning without appreciating the positive choices that their child will often make while being online.

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