Just Do It !

Technology in Education

In my previous blog I mentioned the research of Randall Stross which indicated that students from low income families performances dropped after receiving computers. I also went on to enumerate some of the factors that I thought might have been involved. The question then arose in my mind as to what might happen if we ameliorated these factors by exposing low income families to a range of options and then scaffolding them in using these. What would happen if we changed the culture of education in low income families? This would surely level the playing fields.

The English did it!

According to the Ontario Ministry of Education diversification in the range of technologies available, and improved access to them is changing the nature of literacy and numeracy programs and resources in Birmingham in the United Kingdom.

These include the following:
 Digital cameras to produce books that nursery children can then print off and share with parents
 Interactive story CD-ROMs in libraries for young children
 Word-processing facilities and Internet access as part of homework support facilities in libraries
 “Smartboards” – interactive whiteboards in nurseries and schools
 Web-based clubs at libraries for young people to review books.
 Laptops for young people who live far from schools, allowing learning on a flexible basis, access web-based assignments and e-mail contact with a tutor.
 Handheld computers and tablet PCs giving more flexibility in note-taking, including handwriting directly onto the computer.

Read this- Me read, No way!: A practical guide to improving boys’ literacy skills.