I decided to surf the Internet to see what was out there with reference to computers in schools in the USA and worldwide. They were all consistent in concluding that planned and integrated use of computers in schools improved the quality of teaching and learning among its users. Can the same be true for our schools in Trinidad and Tobago? Three factors may complicate that outcome here , one, I recently learnt that limitations have been placed on Internet access in schools by the Ministry Of Education two, I know of no studies which have looked at computer usage in schools in Trinidad and Tobago and three , for what I have observed so far,it appears that the focus is on basic computer operations.
Dr Kalicharan writing in the Trinidad Guardian of June 2nd adds another dimension with regard to the promise of free computers for SEA graduates. He questions the reasoning behind this gift given the high levels of illiteracy among students ,the penchant for social networking and the fact that this would be the only group in a school with computers.These have implications for the extent of integration required for academic outcomes in the truly wired school as well as the relationships among students at the school.
I agree with his conclusion that training of teachers , and I would add transformational training, would be a necessity to move us in the direction of 21st century schools.
Mary Grant.
Hi Amgpost'
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to note that the Ministry of Education has been training teachers in the use of computers for quite a number of years. This is in keeping with its effort to deliver quality education to all and to achieve developed nation status by the year 2020. In an address given by the then Minister of Education on 26th February, 2007 she stated that before training can begin, there must be appropriate infrastructure in schools and thus embarked on a project of equipping many primary, secondary and special schools with computer labs.