Student computers at Dudley The case against

Personal “Learning” Devices I tried to think what I have “learned” as a result of using computers. The only thing I can think of is that I have learned how to better use computers. Tried to think of an example of where computers are used outside of school as a “learning” tool. I can’t think of any – just because a tool is placed in a classroom it doesn’t make it a “learning” tool. It is my contention that computers are not in fact an advantage to learning.

Am I anti – computer? Not at all It is essential that our students have access to computers. BUT we need to manage that access. Open slather will not benefit students, or our school, or the future world we will live in. We need to decide whether incorporating more technology will hinder or help our endeavours. Schools are likely to become even more important in teaching the skills we consider most valuable.

Education is about developing the whole person

The skills we value most … Independence organisation resilience resourcefulness literacy numeracy confidence self esteem motivation

What role should IT play in education? IT is a tool that we should embrace and utilise to our advantage. We should use IT to enhance our teaching. BUT We must manage the tool. Ensure IT does not manage us.

We need to learn to live with and without technology Learning to use technology is easy and getting easier. It doesn’t have to be practiced. All knowledge is externalised and we can get any information at the touch of a button. Accessing that information does not require any formal education. We should use technology in schools but the use must be incidental and not the focus.

Computers are ideal tools for seeking information. Seeking information may occupy student’s time – it doesn’t mean they are learning or thinking very deeply. Computers are useful but not ideal tools for education.

The skills we value most … Independence organisation resilience resourcefulness literacy numeracy confidence self esteem motivation

History With radio, film, television and the early large “main frame” computers promoters claimed that each new technology would revolutionize schools. Each new technology received some use – but within the context of existing practices. The expectation that we should give kids computers and expect magic things to happen is not realistic.

Some myths “Information Technology is very important because we are preparing kids for a future we cannot clearly describe” “21 st century learning requires 21 st century technology” “Technology = Motivation” “Computers will improve academic performance”

“ Information Technology is very important because we are preparing kids for a future we cannot clearly describe”

Maybe? This makes it more important than ever that we focus on and entrench those universal skills and attributes that we have already identified: Independence / organisation / resilience / resourcefulness / literacy / numeracy / confidence / self esteem / motivation NO IT REQUIRED

“21 st century learning requires 21 st century technology”

No!!!!! The teacher is still the most important factor in quality education. The skills we value most … Independence / organisation / resilience / resourcefulness / literacy / numeracy / confidence / self esteem / motivation … do not require a focus on IT

“Technology = Motivation”

No!!!! IT will help motivate occasionally IT will not in itself provide motivation IT will not sustain motivation IT is a huge part many student’s lives and as such becomes mundane and everyday IT is used mainly for entertainment and social networking – it is becoming increasingly unsuitable for educative purposes Caring supervision from human teachers, parents and mentors is the only known way of generating motivation for the hours of a school day for 12 years.

Computers can engage students but the engagement swings between uselessly fleeting and addictively distracting at worst. Classroom – educative vs distracting Staff meetings – professional vs distracting

“Computers will improve academic performance”

No!!!! No clear evidence exists. PISA (program for International Student Assessment) In students from 31 countries were tested in literacy, maths and science. 2 studies (OECD and Univ. of Munich) concluded zero or slightly worse performance with greater computer access.

The teenager is the natural enemy of the portable computer

We are considering a model where every child has their computer with them all of the time – on a campus where we consider phones too much of a distraction.

Outside the classroom computers are seldom used for learning A technology that is primarily used for entertainment or information gathering is not necessarily a learning tool because it is used in a classroom. There is a limit to what teachers can achieve with IT when students spend so many hours each day to socially network, share images, watch videos, play games, listen to music.

Every human culture becomes tool using IT is a tool – nothing more The use of new tools has not necessarily changed a culture’s beliefs or ideology. With IT the tool is beginning to alter the culture instead of just being used by it. The tool is attacking the culture. The tool is bidding to become the culture.

We have a responsibility to future generations. We need to embrace but control the IT revolution and not allow it to control us.

End

Red Herrings

Radiation from Wi Fi USA -American Academy of Paediatricians have called for review of Wi Fi in schools France-legislation to discourage Wi Fi in schools Israel-schools instructed to use wired computers in preference to Wi Fi Australia-Long term Principal of Sydney Girls School resigned over health concerns she attributes to Wi Fi radiation -CSIRO scientist won compensation for illness caused by Wi Fi at work

Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency insisted Wi Fi is safe in schools. Do a google search on the effects of Wi Fi radiation. Make your own mind up.