Technology in classrom leads to “much worse” academic results
A new survey conducted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), has found that children who use technology in the classroom perform “much worse” academically than those who use it seldom.
Ireland was one of the 31 countries that took part in the survey. The results of the study showed that children in countries who have introduced information technology as a part of learning in the classroom are not improving in mathematics, reading or science, finding that those who use computers rarely in the classroom fared better academically, saying:
“Countries which have invested heavily in information and communication technologies (ICT) for education have seen no noticeable improvement in their performances in PISA results (an educational test issued by the OECD) for reading, mathematics or science.”
The study found that limited use of computers was indeed better than no use at all, but that use above average saw for worse academic results.
OECD Director for education and skills, Andreas Schleicher, said, “Technology is the only way to dramatically expand access to knowledge. To deliver on the promises technology holds, countries need to invest more effectively and ensure that teachers are at the forefront of designing and implementing this change.”