The Computer Society of Kenya

Since 1986

DNLaptop1806cDAILY NATION By NATION REPORTER

Thursday September 17, 2015

A new study has raised questions over whether technology results in better education.

The study, which comes at a time when Kenya plans to equip schools with laptops and tablets, says ensuring children have strong reading and numerical skills will do more to improve education than high-tech devices.

The report, produced by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), suggests that some countries invested heavily in technology without improvements in pupil performance.

Results from 31 countries “show no appreciable improvements in reading, mathematics or science in the countries that invested heavily in ICT,” says the study.

The study also found that students who use computers frequently at school did poorly compared to those who do not and were more likely to feel isolated or alone.

In mathematics tests, the study found that more time spent on the computer led to poorer performance in tests.

“Technology can amplify good teaching but it can’t replace poor teaching,” said Mr Andreas Schleicher, director of OECD’s Directorate of Education and Skills, at the presentation of the data.

There has been a rush locally to embrace technology in classroom with the hope that it would lead to better performance.

This report supports the concern that technology, if poorly implemented, will be a distraction from learning rather than an aid.

ICT Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has said the government wants to make the school syllabus available online.

The government has allocated Sh17.6 billion in the next financial year to finance ICT integration in primary schools.

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