Computer literacy low in Australian schools

According to a government report: Partnerships in ICT Learning, Australian schools are at the beginning stage of integrating computers into classrooms.

According to a government report: Partnerships in ICT (Information and Communications technology) Learning, Australian schools are at the beginning stage of integrating computers into classrooms. The report suggests there are large disparities between computer use in rural and city areas and that the use of computers in schools is largely ineffective with may teachers sceptical about computer use in the classroom.

The report suggests that there is an “avoidance culture” among many teachers who are unwilling to use computers and says there is little evidence of profound improvements in student learning or teaching.

One of the authors, John Pegg from the University of New England, said the federal Government’s program to deliver computers into high schools was the easy, albeit expensive, stage.

Professor Pegg (from University of New England and one of the authors of the report) said considerable differences existed between schools, teachers, academics and city and rural areas. “It isn’t a level playing field; the adoption of computers and information technology across the nation is patchy.”

Professor Pegg said it was just as important for teachers to know when not to use computers. A study by the European Commission released last year found computers improved student achievement in English and slightly in science, but not in maths. The effects were most evident in primary schools.

Source: The Australian IT

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