one of the aims of the JISC Users and Innovations programme is to get the users more involved in the development process. So...in that spirit we announce a new feature for Emerging Sounds - interviews with the users. We are going to be talking to users of different ages and in different countores juts how they use computers for learning - both in the classroom and at home and for formal learning and for their own enjoyment.
Today features a great interview with two eleven years olds - Ellen and Lydia. They are not impressed with the use of computers in school - though dads get a big thumbs up for sorting out the technical stuff.
I has a lot of fun recording this interview - I hope you have as much fun listening.
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Comments
“Teachers leave the kids alone” – that’s the first thought that came to mind after listening to this conversation.
What is the fun of only creating powerpoint slides? Wouldn’t it be more meaningful to challenge the kids to go and do some research online for their projects, and then create the ppt slides?
Two very interesting issues were brought up by these two young students:
1) Many teachers are still not comfortable with the use of computers, let alone with the
Internet and everything the web has to offer. This is made even more noticeable when they present powerpoint in class as the latest, coolest technology. For the youngest generations just creating powerpoint slides has, of course, to be boring. What are you thinking?!!
2) Computers, Internet accessibility and web navigation skills is still not a given to all students. There are still a great number of people who don’t have computers at home and/or access to the Internet. It is still expensive to keep up with the network society.
However, and the way I see it, one of school’s duties is indeed to prepare individuals with the skills they need to face the real world. And currently, the real world is a connected world.
I believe teachers should make an effort to be more computer skilled. They don’t have to be software engineers, or master java and other computer languages, but they should be able to use what is available with proficiency, instead of panicking if the computer crashes.
They will (re)gain the respect of the students; they will be regarded as “cool teachers”, who use the net, and they will offer all students opportunities to connect and experience cyberspace.