Never mind the technology, where’s the learning?

As the Rose review of the Primary Curriculum becomes imminent, the media, as usual tries to steal a march by emphasis on what it regards as sensationalist. On this morning’s Today programme it was reported that teaching how to use Twitter and Wikipedia was replacing the Victorians and the Second World War in the primary curriculum. The view is repeated in the first paragraph on the BBC News website, and has even made TechCrunch Europe (love the picture btw). The Telegraph tells us, “Computer skills are usually not taught until secondary school“, while the Mirror states, “No, it’s not April 1st. Twitter really is about to join maths, English and science in British classrooms“. This comes from an article in today’s Guardian which provides a synopsis of the leaked report. It states:

Children will no longer have to study the Victorians or the second world war under proposals to overhaul the primary school curriculum, the Guardian has learned.

However, the draft plans will require children to master Twitter and Wikipedia and give teachers far more freedom to decide what youngsters should be concentrating on in classes.

Suffice to say, Naace, as the professional association, has been asked to comment on the confidential report, and in the draft there is no mention of Twitter or Wikipedia by name.

The aim of the Rose review is to modernise the curriculum and the general approach outlined in the interim report put an equal emphasis of the development of ICT skills and concepts with that of literacy and numeracy as well as providing greater flexibility for teachers to select and integrate content as appropriate. This all seems logical, sensible and dynamic and if operated with enthusiasm and commitment will meet the needs of the generation. Unfortunately, the media, rather than applauding the fact that children might benefit from such developments regard everything as a ‘loss’ and  examples from the present at best as fads, at worse irrelevant. One can only wonder how teachers can gain commitment to change and reform in such circumstances.

Update: 6th April

You’ll be glad to known that Ed Balls has confirmed that Twitter replacing The Victorians in the Primary Curriculum is “”just complete nonsense”. Well that’s a relief! Remember you heard it here first. I doubt this will be reported on the front page of a national newspaper tomorrow.

Imafe credit: Pulpolux

Tags: JimRose, primary curriculum, media, education