Proliferation of screens making kids NO smarter

[Tomm]

Based on an analysis of the results of the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) tests, the OECD report, entitled Students, Computers and Learning: Making the Connection, concludes:
“Countries that have invested heavily in information and communication technologies (ICT) for education have seen NO noticeable improvement in their performance in PISA results for reading, mathematics or science.”

Education: Proliferation of screens making kids NO smarter

 

[EzekielsWheels]

I feel like its less about technology and more about what is actually being taught. More technology can also mean more options and distractions.

 

[Jon Osterman]

Technology of this type is a tool for learning. But if they are being taught badly, or taught the wrong things, it is not going to help. My daughter is taught using iPads rather extensively. Every child in the school has one and I am very impressed with how well this aids her learning. She writes and submits reports on it, creates presentations, makes art, researches projects etc, all using the attachable keyboard. It is an excellent school and frankly she is way ahead of where I was at her age. Her presentations are really excellent. So I don't think technology hinders children if it is used correctly.

 

[Hieronymus]

It's an illusion that governments want us to be smart.

 

[Tomm]

Technology of this type is a tool for learning. But if they are being taught badly, or taught the wrong things, it is not going to help. My daughter is taught using iPads rather extensively. Every child in the school has one and I am very impressed with how well this aids her learning. She writes and submits reports on it, creates presentations, makes art, researches projects etc, all using the attachable keyboard. It is an excellent school and frankly she is way ahead of where I was at her age. Her presentations are really excellent. So I don't think technology hinders children if it is used correctly.

Please note that that's the conclusion from a research, any research conclusion typically is generalized.

I mean it applies to the whole population of students, NOT just your daughter.

Your daughter is smarter than others, but other students didn't benefit from the computerised learning aids.

 

[Wookiee]

I run IT in a school and have had to compile a list of pros and cons and logistics of running a BYOD program for us, and have cited these sorts of concerns in particular.

I know the sorts of distractions students get up to on our current system; I can't imagine it being much better when everyone has a device that teachers can't keep a direct eye on.

Either way, whatever decision they go with I'm willing to respect it and keep up with it for as long as the job is enriching and engaging. At the very least, it will keep me in a job long term.

 

[jacks]

It seems at least in higher ed, that allowing computers in classes consistently lowers test scores and retention of material. There are many studies on this. HERE is a recent one. I believe it is as others mentioned a distraction and the inability of people to successfully multi-task.

 

[Wookiee]

It seems at least in higher ed, that allowing computers in classes consistently lowers test scores and retention of material. There are many studies on this. HERE is a recent one. I believe it is as others mentioned a distraction and the inability of people to successfully multi-task.

In the Australian Catholic education system there's a huge push for this across all grades. Almost every student at the primary (elementary) school I work at has a Chromebook; the sister high school I also work at (mentioned in my earlier post) is probably going to use Windows devices.

These sorts of things worry me; another point I brought up is none of these students are learning actual computer skills. They know how to use a Chrome web browser, and Google Apps, but that's about it, sadly.

 

[Tomm]

In the Australian Catholic education system there's a huge push for this across all grades. Almost every student at the primary (elementary) school I work at has a Chromebook; the sister high school I also work at (mentioned in my earlier post) is probably going to use Windows devices.

These sorts of things worry me; another point I brought up is none of these students are learning actual computer skills. They know how to use a Chrome web browser, and Google Apps, but that's about it, sadly.

Yeah, the new devices make the school looks good and well-equipped, but are they worth it considering the huge amount of money poured into it???
(I doubt it)