Schools in Atlantic Canada are lagging behind when it comes to bringing technology into the classroom which is referred to as e-learning.
That’s according to a study by Dr. Paul W Bennet, called E-Learning in K-12 schools: The Prospects for Disruptive Innovation and he says that Atlantic Canada has lost about five years. Dr. Bennett says New Brunswick was initially the leader in this as it was one of the first province’s to endorse a so-called 21st century learning initiative which promised every teacher in the province a laptop but that collapsed when the Shawn Graham government was defeated.
“Which effectively I would say set back the cause of implementing technology,” says Dr. Bennett, “because it illustrated that when it comes to technology there’s been a tendency for much to be promised but very little to be delivered to students and teachers.”
Dr. Bennett says brick and mortar schools are increasingly at odds with the rest of society as almost everyone at every age is online and notes that online and blended learning techniques result in students being more engaged. British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario lead the way when it comes to e-learning.
“I’m hopeful this report leads to some serious re-examination of the way learning is being developed and put more faith in students and teachers and remove the constraints and then you’ll see some changes,” says Dr. Bennett
Here are the recommendations for Atlantic Canada’s provincial governments from his report:
