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See also The Virtual Classroom – Angragogy
With the growth of globalisation, technology and commercialism, society has changed rapidly. This development has brought about a shift within the education sector, especially the pre and primary sections. With the widespread availability of television, VHS and DVD players, personal computers and the Internet within schools, education has never been more technologically integrated (Maynard, 2005: 32). This entry will discuss E-learning within the early education sector, the types, its uses and major the major advantages and disadvantages of the form.
As mentioned, due to the postmodern, technological age in which we live, there is a huge impetus for schools to educate children using a combination of traditional and newer pedagogies. Not only is it necessary for children to understand and to be able to analyse technology from a young age, but e-learning caters for students who benefit from hands on or creative type learning. In a study conducted by Sally Maynard, it was found that when academic results were compared between children using a textbook or a CDROM of the textbook, children using the computer achieved significantly higher results. Maynard suggests that this was because children were excited by the incorporation of technology which in turn gave them an incentive to study (Maynard, 2005: 33) .
Digital textbooks and storybooks are not the only forms of E-learning being incorporated into education however. From very early ages, children have access to a multitude of E-learning resources such as educational videos, interactive television programs, computer assisted learning platforms, edutainment gaming (see E-Learning - Edutainment) and websites. These elements are used on a school by school basis, as no Queensland wide E-learning syllabus exists for primary school (Hyun, 2004: 71). Whilst some schools provide students with basic computer literacy, others provide all students with laptops to assist their learning throughout primary school.
One sector of early education E-learning that has taken off is educational websites and software packages designed for home use in core subjects like mathematics and English. These programs are available to anyone with a computer and/or dial up Internet, are cheap if not free and provide children with an incentive to study (Hyun, 2004: 71). This, according to Maynard, builds not only knowledge, but confidence levels, so children are able to better engage with classroom content throughout the school week (2005: 32).
There are downfalls with this method of learning. Allying with current popular theory, Bronwyn Donaghy found that the eyesight of children is being damaged by excess screen usage (1995: 68). Children will often go from the television to the computer to a mobile phone constantly, she stated. This is creating a society where one quarter of all primary school students are myopic, or unable to see long distances. There is also an argument that by using game-like computer programs, or edutainment, to disseminate information, educators are sugar coating content, promoting the fact that education is boring and unsubstantial without the use of technology (Donaghy, 1995: 69).
However, early education has greatly benefited from the use of E-learning within its classrooms. Not only is it an interesting and interactive way to present content, it provides children who have difficulty retaining information from a board with the opportunity to better understand the teachings. While it is noted that education still needs to strike a balance between traditional and technological teaching, with its multitude of manifestations, E-learning will continue to grow and improve in function and capability for a young audience.
Donaghy, B. (1995) ‘Computers: Do they affect your children’s health?’ in Australian Parents, no. 58, pp 68 – 70.
Hyun, E. (2004) ‘A study of a 5 – 6 year old children’s peer dynamics and dialectical learning in a computer based, technology rich classroom environment,’ in Early Childhood Education, vol. 22, no. 2, pp 23 – 46.
Maynard, S. (2005) ‘Can electronic textbooks help children to learn?’ in Emerald, vol. 23, no. 1, pp 32 – 38.
