One of the most important things about the use of technology in the classroom is that learning should be fun. Here in Trinidad there is a great tendency to test, measure and stratify our students. The common entrance exam and the SEA are examples of how we stratify our children in society. My sister who recently completed her Masters in Education in Norway believes that the S.E.A exams is both the symptom and cause of many of the ills in our society because of the way in which it stratifies and separates our students at such a tender age, causing much tension and strife from early stages in development.
In my view, the use of technology in the classroom can help revolutionize the inequities which exist in education. Students from any background now have access to the same information which only few students had previously due to access etc. The initiative by the MOE (Ministry of Education) to have technology available to all is a step in this direction. Not only will students have greater access to information but they will also become more motivated to participate in 21st century literacies. A review of various research articles on technology in education reported that the integration of multiple interactive technologies into education increases motivation and confidence especially for ‘at risk’ students (Cradler, J. and Bridgforth, E., 1994). This will hopefully be the case in Trinidad when in September our students will be given laptops to take home. There is of course much more to be said on the topic but for now, food for thought!
Alicia, I totally agree with your sister on the problems associated with the SEA examination. I see the stress it puts on students. Teachign form 1 students, I also see the damage it does to their ability to think. They learn to take a test as opposed to learning to think.
ReplyDeleteIn terms access to technology I think it starts with the attitude of the teachers. We have to be willing to expose our students beyond '10 Tests' and we must be able to provide guidance and support.
As for the laptops that our students are supposed to get... I was wondering if there would be basic computer literacy or any ICT course of any kind integrated into the curriculum? Or are we giving them more time on facebook?
Definitely a point of concern especially since many of our students come from homes with high levels of illiteracy and absentee parents who are unable to monitor the use of laptops at home
ReplyDeleteAlicia,
ReplyDeleteA most thought provoking topic. I certainly see the ills of SEA myself, and although I often question the Ministry's logic, I find myself hardpressed to provide a workable solution. This is after all Trinidad, with all our social ills and idiosyncracies to contend with. My greatest issue with the SEA is that after it is gone, the emphasis on education by both the parent and the child seems to drop a few notches. This of course leads to many of the failures we see at the CSEC levels.
Enough about SEA. What about these laptops. Imagine my daughter is entering UWI in September, and she, who has excelled so far in education, is not getting a free laptop from the government. Imagine also, teachers and principals in schools are not getting a free laptop, but hundreds of students who scored below 30% in the SEA, and cannot even read are getting a free laptop.
If I sound upset, it is because I am. I believe that this idea was not rationally thought out before it was implemented. Although it may seem that way; Keeping promises are not always the most important things in life. I hope MS. Prime Minister does not have to learn this lesson the hard way.