Has something, somewhere gone terribly wrong?



Those who denounce the widespread implementation of ICT into the educational setting argue that “there is a gap between our understanding of how people can best learn online and the design of courses” (Foley and Schuck 1998, cited in Hase and Ellis 2001, p.28) and as a result, the use of ICT in lessons can often be sporadic and therefore ineffective (Race 2008, p.177-8). However, according to Carey (1993, online) these aforementioned instances can be attributed to the lack of technological experience and the general misconceptions that the educational practitioner may have, as to the exact nature of student centered learning. Interestingly, this and similar hypotheses are ignored by Cuban (2001) who rejects the usual response from critics of education and the "blame and train" approach to technophobic teachers. He doubts that there is any real evidence of actual resistance from practitioners to using technology and argues that many already incorporate ICT extensively into their own daily work routines. He does however believe that only a small minority of teachers regularly integrate computer technology into lessons and states that "the overwhelming majority of teachers employed the technology to sustain existing patterns of teaching rather than to innovate” (Cuban 2001, online).

Reference List

Cuban, L. (2001) Oversold and Underused: Computers in the Classroom. [Online]. Available: http://coe.asu.edu/edrev/reviews/rev168.htm [3rd December 2009].

Hase, S., and Ellis A. (2001) “Problems with online learning are systemic, not technical”, in Stephenson, J. (Ed.) Teaching & Learning Online: Pedagogies for New Technologies. London: Kogan Page Limited.

Hill, C. (2008) Teaching with e-learning in the Lifelong Learning Sector. 2nd Edition. Exeter: Learning Matters Ltd.

Minton, D. (2005) teaching skills in further and adult education. 3rd Edition. London: Thompson.

Race, P. (2008) Making Learning Happen: A Guide for Post-Compulsory Education. London: Sage Publications Ltd.