"In class, I have to power down"

I read this article by David Puttnam from the Guardian online website as suggested in our ICT classes. It was published in May 2007 and discusses the current situation for school children in relation to ICT provision. While outside school they are using digital technology at a much higher level and doing more interesting things, this completely changes on entering the classroom. I agree that this is clearly evident in the current experience of primary schools I have. There just appears to be a different culture on views of education compared to the rest of modern society. I was surprised and impressed the first time I saw electronic registration in a school, but when compared with 'the outside world' it is so insignificant with now such commonplace events as online check-in.

Children's use of ICT outside school is often considered by both the children themselves and society at large, as play. The learning that is occurring through such activities as computer games, setting up websites, is ignored. Hence, according to the article, the need and opportunity for schools. The education system can build on this interest and enjoyment experienced by children and develop curriculum and life skills knowledge.

A key issue that struck me was: "How do we maximise the educational benefits of that passion, without, of course, killing it stone dead?" If this question could easily be answered, teaching would become a much more straight forward profession! I feel there is a psyche to overcome that something that is educational is just not fun. I am reminded of reluctant trips to museums with the mentality that it was going to be boring because it was to do with learning. Fortunately I was often proved wrong but I think the negative expectation was still always there.

I think it shows the progress of my ICT education that this article does not seem to say anything new to me - it is merely confirming all I have been hearing and reading on the subject. Puttnam concludes "There have been millions of words spoken and written on the subject over the past decade. But the big leap forward still has not happened." If we are aware of this theory of the benefits of increasing ICT in classes, why isn't it happening. I am led to the same conclusion that it is down to teachers' attitudes. Having been educated in a predominantly pre-computer asystem, they are reluctant to make the changes. But one generation will have to make the change, and of course, that is our job as current PGCE students and the purpose of this ICT course. I best keep working on it then.