Blogs/Wikis

BrianUK

What evidence do you have that Tom's class is over exposed to ICT? Did Becta release a ICT quota that I missed?

I would argue that teachers as a cohort are under exposed to ICT and are generally resting within their comfort zone when it comes to learning new and challenging skills. I am afraid that the day of teachers teaching the same year 25 times is long gone.

Can you point out to me where blogging (as an example ) does not offer true collaboration, debate, discussion, writing, reading and co-operation? I am running out a national Blogging project and if blogging does not offer these skills, I need to be told before I waste peoples time and government money.

Is ICT a game? ICT are the tools of the modern world. ICT has made the world a far small place and a more even playing field.


Computers won't replace teachers but teachers who use computers will replace those who don't.

It is interesting that the OP is unable to cite any positives provided by the introduction of ICT in the primary classroom. His adoption of such a strong anti-ICT stance undermines some points which could have some merit such as the importance of an equity of experience across a school. It is important that children do not experience a rollercoaster of ICT provision as they move through the school.

He says that "a lot of primary schools suffer in this regard" and that "It happens all the time in education - especially at the primary level where one member of staff is seen as an "expert" in the dark art of ICT"
These comments seem to reveal a fear of the use of ICT and preference to keep children working in the way which they have used for centuries. Surely this is an incredibly patronising view that Primary aged pupils shouldn't be allowed to use computers to any great extent until they go to big school. It is almost a reminder of the day when children weren't allowed to read books until they knew their alphabet.
The argument that the "pupils need to drop the laptops and get on with the essential skills in life - true collaboration, debate, discussion, writing, reading and co-operation. Once these skills have been mastered then by all means take to the computer at least they will have the skills, craft, and confidence to do so without technology dictating how they learn."
I am struggling to match this perception with the vibrant experience of the pupils at my last school (where I was not the only person confident in the dark arts) the technology did and does not dictate but allows the children to express their understanding of a concept in a variety of ways. The teachers, who like Tom, have a good understanding of a range of fit for purpose pedagogies make choices about how they will use different activities to promote discussion, debate and writing. They do this whether they are or are not using technology. This ranges from writing in books through to blogging and podcasting.

The OP seems to argue that the removal of ICT would guarantee that a classroom full of children engaging in true collaboration, debate, discussion, writing, reading and co-operation. I would be interested to see his evidence for this other than a fear of or antipathy towards technology. You still need a teacher with a good understanding of teaching and learning to deliver it.
His comment that "It's a band wagon and a novelty in primary education." also worries me as it seems to suggest that anything new should be feared. I remember a world in Primary education when the banda machine was king and worksheets ruled. Is he proposing a return to the time when teachers were not prepared to task risks and dominated all talk in the classroom?

I am comfortable with what is shown on the video as one example of how ICT is used in Primary classrooms and just wish that more teachers were taking steps towards engaging pupils in its use to allows them to communicate and produce rather than just experience.

I think so. A lot of primary school suffer in this regard. This class of children are suffering from over exposure to ICT. It happens all the time in education - especially at the primary level where one member of staff is seen as an "expert" in the dark art of ICT and other less confident teachers are drawn in. The head teachers are often themselves very ignorant about ICT (despite what they may think) and they too are drawn into the game. ICT is a convenience for teachers - not pupils. These pupils need to drop the laptops and get on with the essential skills in life - true collaboration, debate, discussion, writing, reading and co-operation. Once these skills have been mastered then by all means take to the computer at least they will have the skills, craft, and confidence to do so without technology dictating how they learn. I feel sorry for these kids next year. They are moving to a teacher who clearly lacks any relevant experience and confidence and who feels obliged (whether she admits it or not) to continue with the blogging etc. It's a band wagon and a novelty in primary education.

This is a sweeping judgment to make on less than 10 minutes of video evidence. There can be problems for Heads and teachers in subsequent years, but that doesn't invalidate what the current teacher is doing. I see plenty of evidence in the video of high level approaches to developing writing, contrary to the implications made by BrianUK, and excellent use of peer assessment. If the same expertise is applied elsewhere, then I think these children will be getting an excellent, broad education.

(Knowing Tom a little, I am confident that collaboration, discussion etc would feature significantly elsewhere in the experience of these pupils.)

We must be clear, reading and writing are not tied to bits of paper - it is just one medium in which to express ideas. Perhaps BrianUK should have written a letter to TeachersTV - surely more effective?

I think some of your concerns are valid. Tom has set a very high standard with the use of ICT in the classroom that few teachers would be able to match. The Year 6 teacher seems apprehensive and the children will be eager to continue using ICT, which could be an issue. However, I'm sure as part of Tom's role as ICT co-ordinator he's addressing that and giving the Year 6 teacher the support she needs.

I agree it's also important that children receive a broad education incorporating thinking skills but I would say there's evidence of that in the video. You seem to have drawn a line between ICT and the "essential skills of life". I think that there's probably a large cross-over. For example, collaboration, debate and discussion are all part of the peer-assessment process in the video. It's just taken place online rather than face-to-face.

In a short, 10-minute clip we've seen a fraction of what happens in Tom's classroom but I'm sure plenty of teachers would like to emulate what he's doing with ICT and peer-assessment as part of a broad, balanced curriculum.

Blogging and ICT does not replace any area of the curiculum. ICT is a great teaching tool . I use a blog with my kindergarten class and they enjoy it ... but it does not in any way detract from the other things we do.
Blogging allows me me to provide a genuine audience for student worK and reinforces postive relationships between my students, their families and the woder communities . If you wold like to see an example of this visit my blog. This slideshow shows how we use technology like interactive whiteboards, digital photography and blogging, alongside "hands on" activities and traditional "pen and paper" work to provide a rich and motivating learning environment . https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/blog/5109-cleverkids/ If you think use of technology neccessarily causes defecits in other areas take a look at this kindergarten student's writing https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/blog/5109-cleverkids/entry/amazing_achievements_in_writing
The "times they are a changing' and it's about time that teachers who are resisting using ICT as part of their repertoire of teaching tools get relevant !
Good Work Tom !