Technology Can Wait

What an interesting article.  When reading this I thought this was a drastic approach at first but some of the arguments do have merit.  

·         Studies do not clearly show better test scores or gains using computers

·         Extensive training for teachers to ensure physical activity and learning through creative, hands-on tasks

·         Inhibits creative thinking, movement, human interaction and attention spans

However data from studies can be manipulated depending on what side of the debate you are on.  Extensive training of the teachers I think is the most important message from this article.  Empowered well trained teachers would be confident to incorporate any approach and create a strong sense of mission in any school. What if we compared this school to a school that used the same techniques to incorporate technology?  That would be an interesting study. Teachers who are passionate about physical activity or creative teachers always incorporate their passion into their student’s lessons. Also teachers who genuinely cater for all their learners will have activities that allows their students to learn in physical,  creative and hands-on tasks.

This article states that technology is a distraction when the basic skills are crucial but also acknowledges that young people who are used to technology will not tune in without them so it is a fine line.

The parents play an interesting role in this article. They acknowledge great teachers with interesting lesson plans are more important than technology and they also plan to teach their children technology skills at home when they are ready. I agree great teachers are well prepared and make every lesson engaging and interesting for their students.  Some of these children would get better technology training from parents who work at Google, Apple etc but what about families with limited technology expertise? Surely these children would be disadvantaged by this no technology policy. Without explicit digital literacy skills I believe the majority of these children will be disadvantaged. Perhaps it is time to create a scope and sequence of technology skills that are planned and explicitly taught from Kindergarten to Year 12 and beyond.

When reading this article I thought the Waldorf school had a similar philosophy to Steiner Education Australia and a quick search showed that there are 40 Steiner/Waldorf schools in Australia. Like Waldorf schools, Steiner schools delay the formal integration of digital technologies until high school. An ‘unplugged’ experience in primary school is seen as crucial for children to develop an uncluttered self- image and the ability to develop rich communications skills.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/23/technology/at-waldorf-school-in-silicon-valley-technology-can-wait.html?_r=0
http://www.steinereducation.edu.au