E-learning in the Primary School

In  Panda Pondering’s discussion on the following article Computers’ effect on Kindergarten Social Skills, it is interesting to see the result of a study, found that children’s social skills had improved from use of computers. I would have thought that lack of interaction between children due to so much computer activity would have been detrimental to their social development.  It is interesting to note though, in the article in Scientific American Mind, ‘How Social Is Social Networking?’ findings of a study by Brigham University of frequent adult My Space users, found they were less involved in their communities.

Which goes to show that digital natives are really an enigma, they seem to thrive on networking sites and don’t really seem to be affected by lack of physical interaction. Which brings the question to mind, are digital natives psychologically wired differently to the older generations (i.e. digital immigrants), in that they don’t perceive to be aware of  a deficit in human interaction?  Maybe this is because they are the new generation of social networkers? The answer to this question might be found in the article below.

You might want to check out the article Reading this will change your brain, this is on a study that explains  how social skills are depleting with the increasing digital processing going on in our brains. It will give you cause to think about how important now it is to implement ICT in teaching everyday? And considering myself a digital immigrant, how does this impact on the way we will interact when teaching this new generation?

References

Jetten, J., Haslam, C., Haslam, S. & Branscombe, N. (September/October, 2009). How Social is Social Networking? Scientific American Mind,  Vol 20, No. 5 p.33.

Interlandi, J. Reading this will change your brain. Newsweek. retrieved 13/11/09 from http://www.newsweek.com/id/163924

Kumtepe and Alper. (2006).  The Effects of Computers on Kindergarten Children’s Social Skills.  Retrieved 13/11/09, from http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=ED501360&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=ED501360

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In reading eLearning09′s post on the article The Role of Technology in Early Education. I agree with eLearning09′s view that we really need to investigate whether the technologies being designed for these early learners are being designed by early learner  educational experts.

In saying this, it is also important  to look at Australia’s statistics on internet usage to realise the severity of this issue.

According to the 2009 Sensie e-Business Report for August 2009 (see page 18) statistics state that 85% of households now have internet access and 90% of households have a computer in the home. Of this 72% under the age of 18 use the internet, but the most alarming figure is approximately 24% of children five or under the age of five are allowed access to the internet. Which brings us to the critical question, of this 24% of children five and under, just what are these early learners doing on the internet? And how educational in terms of early childhood development  is their time spent?

References

Sensis e-business report retrieved online 13/11/09from http://www.about.sensis.com.au/news/media_releases/mediaRelease.php?id=20090820a

Van Scoter, J & Ellis, D (2001).The role of technology in early childhood education. Retrieved online 13/11/09 from: www.netc.org/earlyconnections/byrequest.html

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In reading Monkey Scribbles post regarding Japanese Robot Teachers, I can’t think that this could be reality in the distant future,  that teachers’ roles could become obsolete. Which made me think of an article I had recently read in New Scientist.

In the article ‘Robots could flex muscles that are stonger than steel’ ,  from New Scientist, scientists at the University of Texas in Dallas have now developed an imitation of a muscle that is strong and flexible made out of ribbons of tangled carbon nanotubes. Does this mean cyborgs are not that far off into the future? Will teachers one day become obsolete? As software development becomes more and more advance  and ICT is implemented more in teaching, will teachers also become a thing of the past? What implications does this have for education? Will education become a non-humanistic approach where programs will be implemented in the classroom, or will we still realise that dynamic human contact is important in the psychological development of a child’s education? Or are children’s excessive online social networkings now taking for granted the importance of human face to face interaction?

Reference

Kageyama, Y. (2009). Robot teacher smiles, scolds in classroom. MSNBC. retrieved on 31/11/09 from http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29634158/

Kleiner, K. (2009). Robots could flex muscles that are stronger than steel. New Scientist. (Electronic Version) retrieved on 13/11/09 from http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16806-robots-could-flex-muscles-that-are-stronger-than-steel.html

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In Angela’s posting related to the article ‘Teachers on a Learning Curve’. I wholly agree and have found teaching using technology quite intimidating at times, especially when the students expect you to know how to solve the problem. Thankfully there is always one student who is a natural at ICT and usually solves the problem, which can be quite embarrassing for the teacher.

It is not only teaching children we need to think about, but also how to incorporate it more into our pedagogy where possible. I have had experience tutoring children with different learning styles and I agree, technology is a way for children to be more visual and tactile in their learning. Which is why I am now adamant to learn even more about technology, with the conclusion of my E-Learning subject nigh, it is important that I now think of ways in which I can integrate technology more into my lessons to benefit the different learning styles of my students.

Reference

Lees, K. (2008). Teachers on a learning curve. The Australian (Electronic Version) retrieved on 12/11/09 from http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.lib.uts.edu.au/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ehh&AN=43517168&site=ehost-live

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In Lauren’s discussion of the article ‘Should you “Friend” your students?’ I like the idea, that we can reach our students through social networking. I also believe that children at the primary school age see the teacher as a huge influence in their life. It is also important that we try to connect with our students to enhance learning and connecting with a digital native in their own environment might be just the way to do it.

However there are also the difficulties of keeping a personal life on such social networking sites. I would recommend then that two accounts be created, one for professional use in which colleagues, asssociates, other professionals, parents and students can be networked with and a second one for your own personal use. It may be a bit of extra work but it is worth taking advantage of today’s technology in inspiring and influencing our students anyway we can.

Reference

Ortiz, J. & Redd, M. Should you “Friend” your students?Learning & Leading with Technology; Aug2009, Vol. 37 Issue 1, p10-11, 2p, retrieved on 12/11/09 from http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.lib.uts.edu.au/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ehh&AN=43517168&site=ehost-live

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One of the most contentious issues regarding education at the moment has got to be the availability to the general public of school league tables.  So it’s interesting to see an article in The Australian yesterday reporting that this information was launched in Canberra by the Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard. Information about this can be viewed on a new website called My School, the official website will be launched next year. Available on this website will be test scores of NAPLAN results and an ability to compare similar schools within socio-economic bands. Many teachers believe this information ( the naming and shaming of schools) will increase pressure on teachers and students to gain higher scores in order for the school not to be demonised. Could the publication of this data lead to withdrawals of low performing schools and increases in enrolments at successful schools? In these uncertain economic times where there are increases in private school enrolments, will the public school system be under even more pressure to perform?  The next question to ask is what will happen to funding of the low performing school? Is Australia going the way of the United States, where they actually close down schools that do not perform? Is this what will happen eventually here with the publication of such sensitive information? What do you think?

Reference

Concern over school results table. The Australian. (Electronic Version) retrieved on 10/11/09 from http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/concern-over-school-results-tables/story-fn3dxiwe-1225796123579

My school retrieved on 10/11/09 from http://www.myschool.edu.au/

It is interesting to note that electronic readers haven’t quite taken off in Australia like the United States, but  in the recent article Short and Sweet – it is estimated that within 10 years, market research has forecast that 77 million hybrid type phone/notebooks are expected to be sold. This would have astounding repercussion on education and technology, a child would no longer be able to say to their parents I can’t do my homework because I left my text book at school.

Not only will educational material be more accessable to students, it will also lower the disadvantages of  families not being able to afford the resource as electronic readers become more popular.

Reference

Wright, G. (2009). Electronic Readers Changing Our World, Spectrum. Sydney Morning Herald Weekend Edition. 7/11/09

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Last night I was watching Teachers TV, which is a new digital channel, which can be found on channel 45. If you haven’t discovered this yet, it’s worth looking into, as there is a plethora of knowledge and experience to be appreciated at the change of a television station. Last night in particular, I was interested in a short called ‘Interactive Values’, in which a teacher had used  an interactive whiteboard for the implementation of a values program. The teacher had used the children as a resource to improve the lesson online. It was a fantastic idea for using technology and involving students in a program. I encourage you to check out the website. There are so many interesting programs to view. You can subscribe, receive notifications and contribute your own material. I browsed the library and under Primary found two pages worth looking into, on Innovation & ICT and Technology. It’s amazing how much I can really appreciate learning off professionals in the field, by watching these programs.

Reference

Interactive Values , Teachers TV. retrieved on 27/10/09 from http://www.teacherstv.com.au/