Enhancing Communication with ICT

The New Class of Technology

Johnston, M. The New Class of Technology. The Sydney Morning Herald. Located http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/the-new-class-of-technology-20110221-1b2bk.html (accessed 17/3/11)

In this article Megan Johnston examines how communication in Australian secondary schools is being enhanced through the integration of ICT. It states that Independent schools are leading the pack using ICT in revolutionary ways to engage students and reduce the administration load placed on teachers. This article provides excellent examples of ICT integration, including the use of Ipads to replace textbooks and worksheets, a sound system called Lightspeed that prevents teachers from having to raise their voice in the classroom and Johnson also praises the use of video conferencing to break down the restrictions of distance in the traditional classroom (Johnston).

Whilst I think these advancements are great and are excellent examples of how ICT can be the right tool for the job, I do feel the article refrains from highlighting the sheer cost of implementing these systems in schools. It does state, "many independent schools are at the forefront of their application." (Johnston) But it does not draw the reader’s attention to the difficulties of implementing these technologies in underfunded public schools and schools in remote areas. Another problem is how quickly technology becomes obsolete, and I would question whether programs like the Ipad system, if picked up by the Government, could be implement fast enough to remain effective in the quickly evolving digital world.