Learners, computers — what is the way forward?

Charles Dube

THE term is quickly coming to an end and you feel it when moving around schools. There is a lot of excitement and who can begrudge learners looking forward to a period of rest? It would be too much to expect them to be concentrating on their studies when they have written their end of term tests. There are many forms of relaxation on offer these days, thanks to modern technology — the internet craze and WhatsApp.

You are a lost sheep among other teenagers if you are not on WhatsApp. Every learner wants to have a computer at school to keep abreast with friends and access relevant information to their studies. It is a fact that learners load learning material into their computers and would want to access it when necessary. However, a large number of high school learners abuse the gadgets they claim to use for academic purposes.

Given the slightest opportunity most learners divert from the core business of learning and watch musical videos and other films. Talk of obsession — some learners behave as if their lives depend on the internet. Such tendencies are detrimental to the learning of learners as examination results show. Many schools have stopped allowing learners to bring laptops and computers to school as learners get over-excited and fail to use the gadgets responsibly. Proponents for the use of such gadgets might argue that schools should devise monitoring mechanisms of learners than put a blanket ban on them.

Agreed, but as the adage goes, it is easier said than done, it is not easy to monitor all the learners as they also try new tricks to keep ahead of the control system. There are also a number of recommendations proffered which could help the system and learners to work in trust. Research says: All sites should have clear links that allow teenagers to report misuse. Schools should educate learners on safe internet usage and how to detect and handle cyber bullying.

Parents should monitor their children’s use of social networking sites. Parents who lack confidence with technology should be given the opportunity to learn more about it. Being informed about something helps in minimising conflicts. I tell you there are a lot of conflicts between learners and school authorities over the use of computers and cellphones in learning. Computers and cellphones are the in thing as part of learning these days hence they cannot be totally banned in schools especially with the new curriculum emphasising on skills development.

Learners use computers in some of their lessons and projects. A solution has to be found to make the system workable than reverting to old ways of doing things. Learners should understand that they are still at school and their remit is to learn than rush to things which will destroy their future. Use computers positively. Learners should be made aware that while computers are meant to make their learning easier there are certain things which they still need to work out themselves.

It is not all copy and paste in learning. They need to read, research and understand things. This issue is not meant to dampen the learners’ spirits as they head towards the holidays, but to caution them not to dwell much on the internet and forget about the basics of learning. Those who have no computers or touch screen computers should not lose sleep and feel as if they have lost much in life. Sooner than later they will catch up.

There are many university graduates who have made it big in life from the poorest of schools. Some of those schools are not even known to the majority of people but have produced well educated people who take pride in them. Resources might not be allowing them to come back and do something for those schools, yet, the fact stands that they passed through those not-so-good-looking structures. So, computers or no computers never have sleepless nights but have a proper mindset.

It should not be forgotten that there are plenty of games to play in a computer so learners can play as much during the holidays, after all it is relaxation time. Also remember that holiday time is time for visiting relatives or places of interest. As has been stated in these pages before, you can get a lot of information to use at school from relatives and places of interest. I know considering the latter suggestion some people might sneer at it because of the economic problems bedevilling the country, but those few who can afford might learn something and bring that to class.

Even out in the rural areas some learners might get inspiration to write on something. A severe drought can inspire somebody to write an informed piece or book. Look at some novels we read today written by authors of repute — they describe desolate villages with no sign of life but very good stories came out from there. Good writing calls for the use of the five senses: sense of sight, smell, taste, touch and hearing.

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