Well, this attempt number 2! I had just about completed my ponderings on this article when..wouldn't you know it..gone! Needless to say that I was "enraged"!
A bit of a preface to my thoughts....my kids love school, I mean LOVE it! Everyday when I pick them up and ask "How was your day?" I am met with an enthusiastic "awesome!" Now, my girls are only in grade 1 and everything is exciting and new ie. own desk, more freedom in the school grounds.
However, when at home and the homework has been barely put away, come the chorus.."can we play the computer?" Game of choice, "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles". Here in the world of heros and villians, they can kick butt, ascend the various levels and finally become the all-round master ninja!
Believe me when I say that you cannot get a single word out of them when they are 'in the zone'. They are 100% engaged. Even my 4 year old has mastered every level!
Today I spent the day in their class and discovered that they didn't have any real exposure to technology, but for a TV which they watched for 5 mins to highlight a story they were discussing. The class does go to computer lab once per fortnight. Now, don't get me wrong, they are certainly engaged and progressing well in their current studies, but I do worry about what will happen when the novelty wears off.
Children spend half their life, or more, at school and I think there needs to be more of a focus on the relevant technologies that they will be exposed to and have to use in daily life.
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