The performance of schools in Wales can be achieved through digital technology, Welsh Education Minister Leighton Andrews has claimed.
The Welsh Government has announced plans for the creation of a new National Digital Learning Council to give guidance on the use of digital technology in the classroom.
The new centre is part of an overall plan which also includes a bilingual digital platform called Hwb and the creation of a digital curriculum resource.
It follows the publication of an assembly report looking at digital teaching in Wales.
Mr Andrews said: “New technologies are crucial in driving up learner performance and ensuring they have the best skills for life. Children and young people want to learn using the latest technologies available to them. It’s not unreasonable for learners, parents and teachers to expect that the technology they use in their daily life can also be used in education.
“I have said before that schools need to learn and share the best ideas. They also need to have access to appropriate technology and have the skills to use digital technology to make the most out of it.
“The web provides a tremendous learning resource for children and young people. We need to help learners develop the skills, confidence and maturity to navigate safely around this new world and make good use of the opportunities it provides. Through Hwb, we will be encouraging schools to make full use of social technologies to engage learners and improve learning outcomes.
“I want Wales to be a world leader in digital learning. I believe the actions I’ve set out today show how we can achieve that goal.”
“The performance of schools in Wales can be achieved through digital technology” says Leighton Andrews. Does that mean the performance can be improved? If so the answer is; no it can’t!
Some examples of management consultant speak follow,
“New technologies are crucial in driving up learner performance and ensuring they have the best skills for life.”
“we will be encouraging schools to make full use of social technologies to engage learners and improve learning outcomes.”
Am I alone in thinking this is meaningless drivel? What does this mean? Does it mean that we will be able to compete against the thousands of engineers and scientists that China produces every year? Not to mention the highly capable plumbers, fitters and painters that Eastern Europe has to provide due to the complete absence of a sensible education policy in Wales.
Welsh children already happily use digital technology in all sorts of ways. What this technology does not do is educate them, either for work or for them to take their place as valuable members of society. I am very sorry for our young people who are once more being short changed by people, like Mr. Andrews, who are in a position to improve educational standards and do not have the will to do so.