Becta has just published Harnessing Technology: Next Generation Learning 2008-14, an overall cradle-to-grave e-learning strategy for English education. There are some depressing charts on page 27, which contrast how children say they prefer to learn:
with what they say happens most frequently in classrooms.
(The second chart looks to have a poorly edited title.)
These charts say more about the value of the survey than about education. Why is it relevant to any extent, what is the pupils' preferred method of learning? Significantly, learning from others and, God forbid, actually thinking, come right at the bottom.
Like a lot of stuff produced around using IT in education, this is quite meaningless. Unfortunately, too many will build policy and (shudder) hang more quality indicators on it.
I hate the insidious condemnations implied in this. There's nothing wrong with copying stuff down as a way to learn. It's a damned sight better than some of the touchy-feely nonsense teachers are expected to use in the classroom (with a straight face).
Posted by: Nick Hood | 04/07/2008 at 07:17