Wagga parents are expressing their concern that technology devices in schools are replacing basic skills in writing and communication.
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This follows a story which found an independent high school in Bondi dumped technology devices in the classroom and resorted back to paper resources for learning, because they were distracting.
Former Wagga Charles Sturt University lecturer Janice Lowing said she was astounded to find that many of her students did not have good writing or spelling skills.
"I don't believe technology devices should be used for mainstream teaching and instead a face-to-face style of teaching," Ms Lowing said.
"I was a CSU lecturer and I found that the majority of students couldn't spell or write properly because they relied too heavily on technology.
"It worries me enormously because it is extremely important to be able to communicate in the written form as you often receive and want printed forms of information."
Ms Lowing said teaching should be face-to-face and then students allowed computer time for research.
"I don't think technology should be totally dumped but there should be classes where students are taught how to use these devices, the benefits but also the dangers of using technology," she said.
There is so much information out there now, which means this skill is actually more vital now than probably ever before.
- Lisa Vidler
"I watch my grandchildren use iPads and laptops and whatever they read they believe is true, so students need to be taught about accessing factual information on the web as well.
"Devices have their place because they're absolutely marvelous for accessing a plethora of information but students should still learn the basics."
Similarly, a Wagga parent Lisa Vidler said schools need to find balance in the classroom.
"There's nothing wrong with technology when it is used in a positive way and there is nothing wrong with handwriting either, but one should not be used to the exclusivity of the other," she said.
"Like many things in life, the key is balance.
"Unfortunately, I think the approach by many schools perhaps hasn't been balanced and therefore, much of the public has the opinion that the use of technology in classrooms is bad."
Ms Vidler said teachers are often criticised and when technology becomes involved, teachers are then blamed for their lack of professional development.
"We are a society ruled by tech gadgets, but we have been slow to understand what the impact of embracing this technology in our classrooms can be," she said.
"Handwriting is important, reading and critical thinking are vital skills and so is knowing how to interpret and synthesise information.
"Technology is a useful tool to assist with student learning, but we must ensure these other skills are maintained in our schools."
Ms Vidler said she has seen many students over her time who cannot read from a number of sources and integrate information to write in their own words.
"We have stopped modelling how to identify relevant information and there is so much information out there now, which means this skill is actually more vital now than probably ever before," she said.
Wagga Public School year 3/4 teacher Erin Elsey said technology is used as a tool and under guidance in her classroom.
"I do incorporate technology into teaching but it is shared with pen-to-paper and hands-on learning," she said.
"I think these devices are a tool and something that is used in addition to teacher instruction.
"I definitely think technology is a good thing as they provide for adjustment and assistance to students who learn in different ways and teachers need to decide what is best for their students and whether technology will assist their learning or not."
Ms Elsey said she has been teaching for nearly 16 years and technology has come a long way from when she started with blackboards.