Children - Can't Write, Can't Type

Technology Technology: In The News
,
1

The NSW government has reversed its long standing policy of bring your own device in primary schools. This was always an impost on poorer families but now the whole direction is to reverse the trend of using digital technology especially in primary and kindergarten.

Unfortunately we have produced a generation that can’t write well (handwriting is not taught) but neither can they type well (it is not taught either), they are apparently experts using two thumbs to send text messages.

The use of technology in primary school is being wound back in an attempt at digital detox.

Do you think this is a good idea?

1 Like
2

I think school children should continue to write and spell correctly.

1 Like
3

There is talk that the NAPLAN tests will revert to pen and paper too (NAPLAN is national based rather than state based)

https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan

4

A late edition, the federal government has weighed in on the idea of a digital Detox in schools

5

I think it’s an excellent idea Bruce!
There’s a balance to be struck, the digital age can’t be dismissed whether we want to or not but surely having the basic but essential non tech skills in the first instance are a must, the bread and butter so to speak!

I’m wondering how this would work as far as parental support is concerned. Many young parents have grown up with their eyes glued to screens?

6

Apparently there is some evidence that taking written notes means that more is remembered than tapping it out on a screen.

1 Like
7

I guess the professionals in teaching could actually present the concept in a creative, innovative and inspiring way, interesting? :thinking:

8

It’s too late for a correction, that applies across the board.

9

I’ve noticed that the hand writing by people educated in the US can be quite poor or at least messy. There seems to be a tendency to have some letters always in uppercase no matter where they sit in a sentence or word. I’ve often wondered if the teaching of hand writing in the US is fundamentally different from my own experience.
If we do not teach half decent hand writing then we signalling the death knell of hand written notes and the demise of the post-it.