Do/will computers make a difference?

Kevin Donnelly, The Australian’s curmudgeonly education commentator, is inspired by the government’s Digital Education Revolution to broadly dismiss yet another dastardly innovation in education - computers! He writes again [Dec 23] that there is little if any evidence that computers have any benefit in schooling. I must sadly point out that there is no evidence that fountain pens, ball point pens, three ring binders or photo copiers have improved educational outcomes either. It is how you use these tools that makes a difference.

Looking for firm evidence that computers improve learning is a generally futile.
“While it would be convenient to be able to make a direct connection between the use of ICT and learning outcomes, most reputable educational researchers today would agree that there will never be a direct link because learning is mediated through the learning environment and ICT is only one element of that environment.” P16 Newhouse 2002

So while the computer might be a potentially powerful learning aid, achieving better learning will depend on half a dozen other elements being in place. That should not be a discouragement, but a reminder of something that even Mr Donnelly might agree with: that it is the quality of the teacher that is at the core of improvement.

We are seeing this demonstrated in the introduction of Interactive White-boards. It is what the teacher does with it that matters and there are many examples of these expensive tools inspiring great learning, but sadly, there are plenty of instances of the IWB being just a fancy blackboard.

As for the plan to provide all senior secondary students with a computer on their desk, I think this is an inspired initiative. Look at what happens in the so-called real world. Virtually all white-collar workers have a computer on their desk. It is more than a little strange that students who’s daily (and nightly homework) is the gathering, processing and production of information they are lucky if they have the use of a computer for more than two hours a week during their time at school. But it would be a very silly employer who expects that simply providing a computer will make the employees productive.

Most of us take it for granted that a computer on one’s desk at work is a basic essential for effectiveness, and surely this also applies to most students. But let’s not make the illogical leap to imagine that the benefits will be automatic.

Children, sex and safety on the internet

There was an excellent program on Australia’s Radio National recently titled Sex on the Net about child safety. In the style of this program it is a very sensible and thoughtful perspective and in 45 minutes goes into considerable depth. The link allows you to listen or download the audio and there is a transcript.

In short, the program says: there are serious issues at stake, there is no need to panic and the issues are complex. As usual, there are no simple answers and there is a lovely section in the program where a man who has been working for years in an educational program for children with one message - don’t give out your personal details, who realises that it is probably a useless approach.

It is a topic that school administrators and teachers need to know a lot about, and many of the ‘expert’ on this program said that they don’t really know what is happening.