Effect of Touchscreen Technologies on Early Childhood Learning: A Systematic Review

• In Event: Computing and Robotics in Early Education

Abstract

This systematic review provides an overview of existing evidence regarding the impact of touchscreens on early childhood learning. Using PRISMA principles, we identified 53 studies in our review. The literature generally advocated positive effects of touchscreen technologies on early childhood learning with 34 studies reporting positive effects, 17 studies obtaining mixed findings, and 2 articles reporting negative effects. The factors/conditions of touchscreens affected young children's learning were classified into five categories, namely (1) app features/contents, (2) applied pedagogical approach, (3) adult mediation, (4) instructional grouping, and (5) child age and previous experience/familiarity with touchscreens. Our finding has implications for different stakeholders by giving them insights into the impact of touchscreens on early childhood learning under different conditions.

Authors

• Atefeh Taherian Kalati, The University of Western Ontario

• Mi Song Kim, University of Western Ontario