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.