Does the government's attitude towards school computer technology bring us back to the "dark age" of chalk "? and-talk?
That is the fear many have of education, who believe that the actions of the coalition government are reversing the latest developments in learning using computers.
First, it was decided to abolish Becta, the institution that provided information and communication technology advice to schools (ICT).
The new Minister of Education, Michael Gove, then gave a speech on the course, with a complete focus on traditional themes and silence on ICT.
Subsequently, the government canceled the Rose review recommendation for primary schools, which proposed ICT as the core of the curriculum.
Just this week, school minister Nick Gibb did not mention ICT at all in a major speech on the curriculum.
But for many, breaking the straw on the back of the camel was an announcement that it quietly withdrew as part of the government's "free school" policy.
That is to say, to provide capital for these new parents.
Running the school, the government took 50 out of the school's technology fund.
The fund provides funds to improve the school's broadband connectivity, computer hardware and software, and the amount involved accounts for a quarter of the total investment fund.
This shocked Mike Prince, principal of Cambria stevelce primary school.
He believes that fast broadband connectivity is essential not only for children's learning, but also for keeping in touch with parents in rural areas.
He said, "pull the carpet between us.
This year has made me feel that this matter is either done without knowing it or it is more sinful because the government has decided that these things are no longer important ".
After the recent push to involve parents and connect with rural schools, "it feels like we're on the verge of a dark age," he said ".
Others are also aware of this, not just the need for financial savings.
Before the election, John Merlin
Journalists specializing in technology and learning
Trying to understand the details of the Conservative Party's policy on information and communication technologies.
However, after a series of electronic
In the past two years, he has not received any specific information from the Conservative party headquarters.
So, the question that worries a lot of people in education is whether the government is reluctant to make these cuts in order to avoid impacting the core school budget, or whether the government is indifferent or even hostile, ICT in education?
Some have argued to the government that spending cuts are inevitable and that ICT must accept its share.
Others believe that the school's ICT revolution has achieved its goals.
They say all schools are now starting to focus on the role of technology in learning and no longer need the support of external institutions like Becta.
Of course, a primary school IT manager from Midland told me that he was happy with Becta's death and that he thought Becta was "a thorn behind me ".
He found that many of Becta's suggestions were condescending. of-touch.
He thinks it's better for schools to have-
Be familiar with their problems and the House technicians of the staff and students.
Another view is that children are so familiar with computers and technology.
Savvy people tend to know better than their teachers that they no longer need to learn information and communication technologies.
But many experts disagree.
Chris Scarth, a provider of educational information and communication technology, believes that Becta has driven technological progress in schools in areas such as whiteboards, teacher laptops and broadband.
But now, he thinks the government is "indifferent" and "sooner or later it will have an impact on the school ".
He said the government is not against that much.
Technology, but "lack of guidance, the field of communication is becoming more and more empty ".
He was worried that we would end up in two.
Tiered school systems: those who drive ICT forward, and those who seek out unavailable support.
Mr Prince has a similar view.
He is concerned that in the absence of government support for ICT, as students in the 1970 s were not only science teachers but also science enthusiasts.
Paul Wareing, a former Becta employee, believes that the agency was canceled because of the "totem of the new workforce.
He believes that the country is about to lose what the world envies and that its practices and guidelines are replicated globally.
As evidence of his success, he noted that the teacher's laptop program, communications aids for students with special needs, and central procurement transactions with Microsoft, among others, saved "a lot.
My inquiry at the Ministry of Education this week failed to develop any clear policy on ICT.
However, the government's response to Mr. Wareing regarding the Becta closure stated: "The government needs to make the most of the resources to reach the front line. . .
Schools are best placed to make decisions about how to make use of existing resources. . .
The government is committed to getting rid of top-down intervention ".
Becta produced several research reports showing the benefits of ICT for learning.
However, if their views are considered self-
Service, research from other places is worth a look.
S. Department of Education's study concluded that "students who take all or part of the course online perform better on average than students who take the same course face-to-face through tradition --to-
Face instruction ".
It also found that "the combination of online and face-to-face teachingto-
Facial elements have a greater advantage over a pure faceto-
Than pure online teaching "face instructions.
In conclusion, the balanced use of ICT and traditional learning has achieved the best results.
If the government does not believe in its own institutions, maybe it will listen to evidence from abroad?