Multi-dimensional evaluation of the impact of mobile digital equipment on student learnings: preliminary results of the effects of the 2015 Digital Plan

Résumé En

The preliminary results of the Longitudinal Evaluation of Activities related to Digital Education (a.k.a Élaine in French) report on the effects of allocating mobile digital equipment (mainly tablets) on student learnings in 7 th and 8 th grades. These equipment were especially distributed within the framework of the Digital Plan implemented from 2015, in the form of tablets, individually (individual mobile equipment-1-to-1 tablets) or collectively (mobile classrooms-MC). At the end of 7 th grade, we observe a positive effect of 1-to-1 tablets on the student results in French oral comprehension and on their digital skills. At the end of 8 th grade, the results of students receiving 1-to-1 tablets also show a positive evolution in French reading comprehension and in mathematics compared to non-equipped students. In general, the effects measured two years after the distribution of 1-to-1 tablets correspond to the progression of one rank in the class for a median student. A positive impact of MC of the same magnitude can also be observed on mathematical and digital skills of 8 th graders at the end of the school year. The first analyses also show some differentiated effects of mobile digital equipment according to student gender, their social background or the social composition of their school. Data on the use of digital equipment inside and outside the classroom, as well as the adoption of equipment by teachers allow us to explore potential mechanisms. 1-to-1 tablets availability leads teachers to include digital technologies to a greater extent into their practices, while the availability of MC, on the other hand, has no effect.