Session 1 reading – from the Guardian, May 2007-11-13

The title of this article, ‘In class I have to power down’ illustrates how many children today feel about using their ICT skills in school. The article discusses how children access new technology out of school and develop skills that are not utilised in school. These children, as well as learning valuable skills are also enjoying their experiences of ICT outside school – the article, as I read it then developed the question of whether this be said for the experiences they have of ICT in school?

I found this article interesting in the conclusions it made regarding the bridge between education and entertainment – it is interesting to see how ICT in school is viewed as a tool to educate the children whereas they are allowed to enjoy the experiences and learning with ICT out of school. Surely in a world where ICT plays a growing role, children should be taught the benefits of it in school, rather than being put off by having to repeatedly create spreadsheets, graphs and be restricted in their explorations by the Curriculum? In this sense I agree with the argument made in the article. I also agree that distinction should be made between education and entertainment, but surely these cannot be separated completely so children do not enjoy their experiences of ICT in school compared to what they are able to do at home.