Parents back hi-tech schools — except for mobile phones
An overwhelming number of adults think technology plays an important role in children’s education. But there is one gadget most parents think should be banned from the classroom.
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EXCLUSIVE: Technology plays an important role in children’s education according to an overwhelming number of adults, a new survey has found.
And while technology such as facial recognition to track school attendance is supported by a growing number of parents, most think mobile phones should be banned in the classroom.
A national survey by Monash University into the role of technology in classrooms found 66 per cent of people agreed it made a positive contribution to Australian schools.
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The survey of more than 2050 adults also revealed a push for the introduction of online exams, with 44 per cent supporting the idea.
Professor Neil Selwyn from the university’s education department said the most strongly supported idea (86.3 per cent) was the importance of teaching students IT skills that were relevant for future jobs.
“There has been growing criticism that many schools are falling well behind what most of today’s students are doing with technology outside of the classroom,” Prof Selwyn said.
Despite the large majority of Australians supporting the “digitisation of schools”, the survey also revealed more than a third did not trust big tech companies such as Google and Microsoft and felt “uneasy” about their role in classrooms.
Cassandra Bird said while she valued the use of technology for educational purposes at school for her boys Archie, 5, and Alex, 7, she tried to limit their screen time when they returned home.
“I feel like we have a good balance of screen time in our house. The kids aren’t allowed to use the iPads or any screens when they get home in the evening, and we always use dinner time as quality family time to chat,” she said.
“We keep a lot of play equipment in the backyard, and the boys love their sport. They pick a new sport for each school term, so they’re not stuck indoors on the screens.”
Almost 80 per cent of adults supported a classroom phone ban but 68 per cent said students should be allowed to bring mobiles to school for safety reasons.
The report, released today, is the first of its kind detailing national public opinion towards the use of digital technologies in school.
Prof Selwyn has called on policy makers and schools to take leadership in the area.
“This is an area of education where state governments might easily take a lead and play a more prominent role in supporting schools to make the best use of digital technology,” he said.
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