There are a couple of issues for me with the Times article (thanks for
the link, Peter):
1. The assumptions about children's access to IT at home: as we know,
many families cannot afford computers or internet access at home, or
choose not to have computers or internet access.
2. The assumptions about children's competency levels with IT: like
Jonathan and Peter, I think the issue should not be about familiarising
children with IT, but training them in skills such as critically
evaluating information quality, and also working to combat the rise of
(often unintentional) plagiarism.
I'm also opposed to the idea of digital natives, and the assumptions
about age divides in IT competency levels, it's not reflective of reality.
Vashti
Vashti Zarach
Cynorthwy-ydd Cefnogi Defnyddwyr / User Support Assistant
Y Brif Lyfrgell / Main Library
Prifysgol Bangor / Bangor University
Ffordd y Coleg / College Road
Bangor
Gwynedd.
LL57 2DG
E-bost / Email: [log in to unmask]
Tel: 01248 388826
Jonathan Smart wrote:
> I certainly agree with Peter about not making assumptions about children's (or indeed adults') IT skills and would challenge the Prensky/Tapscott positions re. Digital Natives/immigrants as being too simplistic; I would have been more excited, however, with a Government announcement that, for example, greater emphasis was going to be placed on critical thinking / reflective skills in schools.
>
> Jonathan Smart,
> Academic Support Co-ordinator (Skills),
> Room 201, Library,
> University of Plymouth,
> Drake Circus,
> Plymouth PL4 8AA
> Tel. 01752 587119
> Fax: 01752 587101
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: A general Library and Information Science list for news and discussion. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Peter Godwin
> Sent: 27 March 2009 10:43
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: The Guardian: Blogging / Podcasting / Twitter / Wikipedia - The Future Of (UK) Education?
>
> Actually I think Alice went a bit over the top : the online replies are good!The article is at
>
> http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article5976928.ece
>
> Surely the important thing is to help children become more information literate right from an early age and getting this into primary and secondary schools.
> I dont believe children are all naturally techie. If their parents or the schools can provide the means (mobile gizmos, PCs etc.)then they are likely to pick it up, but there will be a lot they don't realise they don't know - particularly about finding and using quality information.
> Let's wait for the final recommendations and hope they can help information literacy to get into schools earlier
>
> Peter Godwin
>
>
>
>
>
>>>> Jonathan Smart <[log in to unmask]> 03/27/09 9:18 AM >>>
> I think Alice Thomson (Thurs March 26th p. 28) in her column in the Times yesterday got it spot-on.
>
> Jonathan Smart,
> Academic Support Co-ordinator (Skills),
> Room 201, Library,
> University of Plymouth,
> Drake Circus,
> Plymouth PL4 8AA
> Tel. 01752 587119
> Fax: 01752 587101
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: A general Library and Information Science list for news and discussion. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Sarah Bartlett
> Sent: 26 March 2009 17:49
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: The Guardian: Blogging / Podcasting / Twitter / Wikipedia - The Future Of (UK) Education?
>
> Not exactly breaking news - literally yesterday's news.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: A general Library and Information Science list for news and
> discussion. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of McKiernan,
> Gerard [LIB]
> Sent: 26 March 2009 16:40
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: The Guardian: Blogging / Podcasting / Twitter / Wikipedia - The
> Future Of (UK) Education?
>
> Colleagues/
>
>
>
> Late-Breaking-Revolutionary News ... !!!
>
>
>
> /Gerry
>
>
>
> The Guardian: Blogging / Podcasting / Twitter / Wikipedia - The Future
> Of (UK) Education?
>
>
>
> Children will no longer have to study the Victorians or the second world
> war under proposals to overhaul the primary school curriculum, the
> Guardian has learned.
>
>
>
> However, the draft plans will require children to master Twitter and
> Wikipedia and give teachers far more freedom to decide what youngsters
> should be concentrating on in classes.
>
>
>
> The proposed curriculum, which would mark the biggest change to primary
> schooling in a decade, strips away hundreds of specifications about the
> scientific, geographical and historical knowledge pupils must accumulate
> before they are 11 to allow schools greater flexibility in what they
> teach.
>
>
>
> [snip]
>
>
>
> The papers seen by the Guardian are draft plans for the detailed content
> of each of six core "learning areas" that Rose is proposing should
> replace the current 13 standalone subject areas.
>
>
>
> The proposals would require:
>
>
>
> * Children to leave primary school familiar with blogging, podcasts,
> Wikipedia and Twitter as sources of information and forms of
> communication. [snip]
>
>
>
> [snip]
>
>
>
> The six core areas are: understanding English, communication and
> languages, mathematical understanding, scientific and technological
> understanding, human, social and environmental understanding,
> understanding physical health and wellbeing, and understanding arts and
> design.
>
>
>
> [More]
>
>
>
> Links To Full Article and Companion Audio Interview Available At
>
>
>
> [ http://tinyurl.com/cu49jc ]
>
>
>
> What Will They Do Next? Sanction Membership In Social Networks [:-)
>
>
>
> Enjoy!
>
>
>
> /Gerry
>
>
>
> Gerry McKiernan
>
> Associate Professor
>
> Science and Technology Librarian
>
> Iowa State University Library
>
> Ames IA 50011
>
>
>
> [log in to unmask]
>
>
>
> There is Nothing More Powerful Than An Idea Whose Time Has Come / Victor
> Hugo
>
> [ http://www.blogger.com/profile/09093368136660604490 ]
>
>
>
> Iowa: Where the Tall Corn Flows and the (North)West Wind Blows
>
> [ http://alternativeenergyblogs.blogspot.com/ ]
>
> Please consider the environment before printing this email.
>
> Find out more about Talis at www.talis.com
>
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