The Growth Of Enterprise Pedagogy: How ICT Policy Is Infected by Neo-Liberalism

 

 

The Growth Of Enterprise Pedagogy: How ICT Policy Is Infected by Neo-Liberalism

Dr Mark Brown

Massey University New Zealand

 

This article is slightly different to the others previously discussed. The article looks into the possible negative effect ICT can have on our students and our teaching. The point Brown is attempting to put across is that people view technology as the 'great new tool' and they don't look at the negative impact it could also have on student learning, they only think it will benefit the learning.

What Brown tries to point out within this article is that learning requires hard work and determination(Brown, 2005). He argues that technologies these days sugar coat learning, they take the students away from the vital parts of schooling, they make learning 'colourful' and 'fun'. The counter argument I put forward to this is that learning needs to be fun and colourful and exciting. Studies have shown students learn more when they have greater engagement in a task, and if technology can help to do this then I am all for it. Students can still put in hard work, but lets make it engaging and exciting at the same time.

Correct integration of ICT in a classroom is of high benefit towards students and teachers. Where as Brown talks about the possible negative impacts of technology I see nothing but benefits as long as I myself know how to use the technology. The government should and is promoting ICT into classrooms and I think this is great. Brown makes valid points but he seems slightly one sided in his approach towards technology. However, I am only a practising teacher at this point in time and have not fully experienced my own classroom, but I see massive benefits in using technology so I will stick with the view that ICT is vital to a successful learning environment as long as it is used correctly.