Christopher+J.

Discussion #4

I have to agree with the statement made by Terry Freeman; those who insist that ICT should be taught across the curriculum are misinformed. There is no doubt that ICT can be interdisciplinary, today most schools use various different forms of technology to enhance learning or simplify classroom processes. Though the reality is that unless technology is deeply ingrained in the curriculum, it is not going to be prioritized. And it shouldn’t be. I feel there is an advantage to using technology in other subject areas but the whole reason that we have different classes at school is to give students time to focus on a particular skill set. If a teacher feels that they can deliver the content in an effective way without technology, kudos to them. There are so many things that need to be focused on in any subject area that if the course work isn’t laid out clearly and concisely, it won’t be prioritised.

Students need a chance to learn how to use these technologies if we are attempting to prepare them for the future. If ICT were to be eliminated we should be short changing students the opportunity to learn problem solving in the digital age. Students have an opportunity to use their intelligence and creatively in an infinite amount of ways with modern technology. But if they don’t learn how to use the basic tools that our future relies on, then they will be shortchanged that opportunity. Even today we have luddites who deny the usefulness of technology or ignore its potential. Often these same people will state their opinions on prioritizing literacy and mathematics. While I would never discount the importance of these subjects, I must question whether their importance is worth ‘more’ than ICT. We know that intelligence is not a static concept; students often have strengths in specific areas. By doing away with technology we are doing a disservice to the future Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg’s in the class who could have potentially changed the world.