Ploy or toy?
As opposition leader, current Prime Minister Kamla Persad –Bissessar promised a free laptop in the bookbag of every child who wrote the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) in Trinidad and Tobago. A promise that is yet to be fulfilled but which I am sure will soon materialize. This promise was a courageous one especially in the context in which it was made. Additionally, the Guardian newspaper recently reported that St Vincent’s Prime Minister, Ralph Gonzales is now looking into free laptops for its 30,000 primary and secondary school students at a cost of over 70 million dollars. Similar to Trinidad’s situation is that this seems to be a political move since elections are due next March and the opposition leader is also promising free laptop if elected. additionally, children have also recently received free laptops in Argentina.
Are we ready?
My hope is that we have the infrastructure and capacity to deal with these digital children. I am concerned with the use of these computers for educational purposes that would enhance and develop basic literacy skills such as reading and writing. Additionally, I pray that we develop the level of technical support that would be needed for this type of venture. It also goes without saying that I am a primarily concerned with the human resource capacity of the nation’s teaching service to effectively use technology in education. Other than two Bachelor of Education courses and this one, I wonder what else is available. What does Education’s Human Resource division have in the pipe lines? To be honest I’m a bit nervous. My concern is the general incompetence of the Ministry of Education in most projects.
What are your thoughts with regard to the Laptop matter?
Keep reading
I have a shocking revelation on this matter from the New York Times Magazine
Well Genevieve(with a French accent)
ReplyDeleteYour concern is the concern of many well meaning and thinking citizens of Trinidad and Tobago. Most people are of the opinion that the physical ownership of an item makes one an expert on it. We couldn't be more wrong when it comes to computers. This is a powerful device that we are putting in the hands of students(and by extention, parents)that I am not sure are aware of its full power. As you observed even the Ministry is not prepared for a move like this, but the nature of politics in this country is such that political expediency wins out over common sense. I can't wait to see how this drama unfolds.
Hi all...
ReplyDeleteI share your sentiments to an extent, yes I agree that putting laptops into the hands of many students is a powerful tool but I don't particularly agree with 'physical ownership does not make someone an expert'. A computer is something that when explored enough you can get the hang of it; by using the technology they will become experts. We adults don't realise how easily children gain knowledge of the new technologies. The important aspect of this entire exercise is not to leave education of the technology solely up to parents children need to be 'tech-smart'.
Likewise, I hope there are training sessions for teachers. But I do welcome the technology it will reach some children positively it would be irrational to think that all children would use the technology positively.
I honestly believe that the decision to distribute laptops to these students was not well thought out. I do not think that the relevant authorities took the time to analyze the pros and cons of this action. Nevertheless, the decision has already been made and the Ministry of Education now has to consider such concerns as security risks, technical support, students' and teachers' competencies with this technology and the possible misuse of these tools. A cost/ benefit analysis should be done to find a way to implement this initiative so that the business of education can continue without much distractions and disruptions.
ReplyDeleteGenevieve,
ReplyDeleteLaptops ,Laptops, laptops!!!!!!!! what a disaster and know knowledge of it when placed in the hands of those who are clueless of what powers they possess.
of course this plan was not well thought out and it was purely political. would laptops now be replaced by the 10,000 pizza vouchers that are costing more than one million dollars ?????
I was always of the view that these gadgets will not enhance reading. The population of this country, the administrators etc are not interested in development of the children globally it is all old talk after old talk.
i would like to ask a question here would it only be the form one students be given this privilege if so did they work out the bullying stuff that they would have to face by scalpers out on the streets when they are given to carry home?
HMMMMMMMMMM a lot to think about.
Unfortunately, I believe that this political ploy may soon become a toy as I have pondered on many of the issues that you are currently praying about. Presently there are not that many programs that educate parents and guardians about the proper use of the computer and the Internet. They simply see it as a means of occupying the child’s time. They claim that it is constructive use of their time, but is it really?
ReplyDeleteJust recently there was the issue of cell phones being used in the school for the publicizing of indiscriminate sexual behaviour. Teachers themselves are not controlling this wave of technology very well. They are not educating themselves nor exploring policies to control its use within the school environment.
Then there is the matter of infrastructure, to house these devices. Just recently there was an article in the newspaper of a teacher that confiscated a laptop from a child as they were using it to view a movie. However, the laptop was not returned and is now missing and the parent wants compensation. I mean who wouldn’t.
Thus, I will join you in prayer.