Are computers helpful or harmful to education? Two recent reports from government ministries expose the conundrum at the heart of that question. The communications ministry and the education ministry announced recently they would start a new cloud-based system to make teaching materials accessible on the Internet. Yet, in the same week, the education ministry released survey results that found children who spend many hours on the Internet do poorly at school. So, which is it?
Students will start to use cloud computing learning systems in fiscal 2016, according to the ministries. The system will allow students to access data via the Internet, where electronic teaching materials for five subjects — English, mathematics, Japanese, science and social studies — will be stored on servers. Allowing students access to school materials on their personal computers and on their cellphones seems a positive step forward, though perhaps just a small step.
Increasing accessibility of materials and upping the efficiency of learning is surely good. If students miss a class, they can catch up, materials can be updated easily and cheaply, and valuable data collected. However, will all students have tablet devices and other equipment, or even a stable Internet connection?