The children are alright – Using IT in Education
By Giselle Borg Olivier for The Sunday Times of Malta, Technology supplement
Numerous households have a computer nowadays, one that is more often than not connected to the Internet. This wonderful world that exists ‘in the cloud’ holds a world of information behind the monitor screen that is easily accessed by simply searching for a specific word or phrase. Hundreds and thousands of possible sites will be presented to you and because of this vast choice into the unknown it’s very easy to fall into the trap of assuming that the internet is harmful and holds potential dangers, for two main reasons.
Firstly, because of the negative hype that often surrounds the internet due to the numerous pornographic websites that can be accessed by anyone with an internet connection; anyone, including children.
Secondly, people tend to fear what they don’t understand, and because the internet is constantly evolving and is considered to be a gadget that belongs to ‘the younger generation’, it has garnered itself something of a shady reputation.
Whilst several studies have concluded that children of an impressionable age who are exposed to certain images and visuals online can be negatively affected by the experience, it is important to recognize that there is another, opposite and positive side to online content.
We are living in an information society where news is immediate and pervasive and is no longer delivered via a one-way system such as a newspaper or television set. With online newspapers, fora, blogs and micro-blogging sites, news of all sorts is spread to as many people as possible whilst at the same time allowing readers to voice their own opinion. This is the information age that today’s children are being reared in and it is therefore important for them to be exposed to the technology that they are going to be working with in their future. If they understand the potential that lies there, then they will be in a better position of controlling and making the most of this technology.
There has been a development in media education classes within schools which is a positive trend for today’s kids. IT education is important and should be widespread in all educational facilities starting at a young age so that kids can be taught how to use the Internet in a positive and constructive manner. Although there is a lot of positive and educational content on the Internet, it is still imperative that children are supervised by an adult at all times and that all computers connected to the school network are adequately monitored with irrelevant and illicit websites being blocked, thus preventing either the kids or teachers from attempting to access any unethical sites.
The proliferation of computers in homes should be reflected in schools with teachers trained to find educational sites that the kids can then browse at home with their parents. There are sites such as CBBC, which is the BBC site designed for kids, thus exposing them to an array of activities and games that will help enhance their creativity as well as the psycho-motor skills needed when using a mouse to control what is happening on the screen. Another kid-friendly website is provided by Yahoo! whereby children can play games that will keep them alert and improve their reaction times whilst also having fun; there is also an ‘Ask Earl’ portion of the site which includes the sort of general knowledge that only children are able to come up with! And which parents are often at a loss of how to answer. Via ‘Ask Earl’ I discovered that a giraffe has the same amount of bones in his neck as a human – that is seven vertebrae. Information like this is fascinating for a child and is readily available on the Internet and could make a school lesson interesting, as well as fun, which is likely to lead to better interaction and participation from the kids.
As of 2004 all schools are meant to be connected to broadband Internet and with proper scheduling and teacher training all children can be taught about the wonders that lie within the World Wide Web and how they can learn more whilst enjoying themselves. By honing their technology skills, children will also realize the possibilities that lie open for them in terms of jobs and future opportunities. A child with an interest in art could realize his/her potential in the world of graphic design.
The Internet should not be shunned as a monster of viruses and pornography, but should be embraced as a learning tool that is capable of teaching and entertaining children and helping them boost their mental skills, as well as their creativity and curious natures – the latter two of which are rarely found in adults.
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