Perhaps, quite naively, I was rather taken aback by the idea that major computer software companies can have such a big influence on what gets taught in schools.
Rodrigo Davies, in his article, 'Keeping Computers in their Place' raises the idea that what software companies produce for schools, is what gets taught, because of the lack of ICT skills amongst teachers. (No further expansion on lessons done, teachers reliant on the software itself for lessons, widely available online lesson plans and resources used, etc) In addition, the idea was raised that some software manufacturers may be able to exploit this lack of knowledge within the teaching community, which in turn could give them a great deal of control over what actually goes into the curriculum.
Such ideas have made me consider my own abilities within ICT -
I want to be an effective teacher and use ICT to its full potential within the classroom. This was also highlighted to me on observational placements in schools, where I have seen Interactive Whiteboards used as little more that glorified pin boards because the teachers are unable to work them properly.
But I also dont want to use ICT resources in blind faith that they are the most appropriate for the task. This article has made me somewhat cautious about the online resources that are available. At my current stage of learning in this PGCE course, I am not overly familiar with the many teaching resource websites yet - it is something that I will endeavour to expand my knowledge of. But, having read this article, I will most certainly review sites like Curriculum Online and Espresso with my eyes wide open to the input that software manufactureres may have had regarding their content and construction.
Just because software manufacturers have the expert knowledge of software that can be used in education; it doesn't mean thay are experts in creating an educational curriculum.
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It is important that we are careful about technology. The more powerful the technology, the more powerfully it can be abused.
This applies to over-regulation in society (rdif id cards, surveillance cameras) the personal information we readily hand over to Tesco/Sainsbury's/M&S/banks when we use credit cards as well as the power of the software vendor.
Think about the massive impact Microsoft has had on the world as the dominant operating system. How readily we all fall into the way they want us to do things. Even alternatives fit in with them (Open Office, the new generation of Apple computers able to run Windows).
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