I spent half an hour yesterday talking to a BT helpdesk operator. He was based in India, but that didn't matter because he was able to talk intelligently about my connection problems. He had a tick list to go through first which we got out of the way fairly quickly and we established that there was a problem and narrowed down its probable location.
Thinking of what is taught in ICT in schools, I shudder to think of what an English helpdesk operator would make of the discussion. This sort of help requires specialist knowledge and an articulate manner, but people of that calibre are unlikely to work on a helpdesk in the UK.
I came across this article about ICT in the Developing World and realised that the very same focus should apply to the UK. The mish mash approach, the ego driven SMT hardware purchases, the mickey mouse schemes and exam syllabi seem more reminiscent of the banana republic than the education system in a developed country.
Ten lessons for ICT..., Robert J. Hawkins
http://www.cid.harvard.edu/cr/pdf/gitrr2002_ch04.pdf
The ability to transform knowledge and information into products and services in the 21st century is the key to economic success. If we are to remain prosperous we need to recognise that information is the most important resource and that our young people need proper education to ensure that we remain productive, and competitive. I already expressed the view that an Internet helpline is located overseas for more that just for economic reasons.
Many Governments around the world have a very clear focus and are increasing the quality, direction and access to education. Education is changing and we really do need to consider with much more care what represents quality in the use of Information Technology. Are UK ICT teacher s convinced that what they are required to deliver is quality?
Thinking of what is taught in ICT in schools, I shudder to think of what an English helpdesk operator would make of the discussion. This sort of help requires specialist knowledge and an articulate manner, but people of that calibre are unlikely to work on a helpdesk in the UK.
I came across this article about ICT in the Developing World and realised that the very same focus should apply to the UK. The mish mash approach, the ego driven SMT hardware purchases, the mickey mouse schemes and exam syllabi seem more reminiscent of the banana republic than the education system in a developed country.
Ten lessons for ICT..., Robert J. Hawkins
http://www.cid.harvard.edu/cr/pdf/gitrr2002_ch04.pdf
The ability to transform knowledge and information into products and services in the 21st century is the key to economic success. If we are to remain prosperous we need to recognise that information is the most important resource and that our young people need proper education to ensure that we remain productive, and competitive. I already expressed the view that an Internet helpline is located overseas for more that just for economic reasons.
Many Governments around the world have a very clear focus and are increasing the quality, direction and access to education. Education is changing and we really do need to consider with much more care what represents quality in the use of Information Technology. Are UK ICT teacher s convinced that what they are required to deliver is quality?
I'm not sure of all Hawkins' arguments, but his focus and sense of direction is convincing. I look at ICT in schools. I read requests from ICT teachers asking for help with things that are trivial. I see kids doing inane ICT work and I wonder if we ought to sign up as a developing country.
Our children are capable of so much using ICT but are forced down a narrow path by a system that lacks vision and the need to build next years SaTs, GCSE and 'A' level results rather than the 21st century world.
Our children are capable of so much using ICT but are forced down a narrow path by a system that lacks vision and the need to build next years SaTs, GCSE and 'A' level results rather than the 21st century world.
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