'Dull' computer classes to be ditched
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The days of teachers standing in front of a class delivering lessons could be over within a decade, Education Secretary Michael Gove said yesterday.
Speaking at the BETT show for educational technology in London, he also announced plans for a shake-up of the way technology is taught.
Mr Gove called the current ICT (information and communication technology) curriculum "demotivating and dull".
From September it will be replaced by a flexible curriculum in computer science and programming.
He said this would create young people "able to work at the forefront of technological change".
The Education Secretary warned that education had "barely changed" while technological advances had altered the world.
"The fundamental model of school education is still a teacher talking to a group of pupils," he said. "A Victorian schoolteacher could enter a 21st-century classroom and feel completely at home... but that model won't be the same in 20 years time. It may well be extinct in 10."
Mr Gove came in for criticism for his decision to implement the changes rather than waiting for his review of the national curriculum – due at the end of the year.
Valerie Thompson, chief executive of the e-Learning Foundation, added: "The announcement must not serve as a smokescreen to hide the fact that cuts to capital budgets have had a serious impact on the money available to schools to spend on technology."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments