Primary school children to be taught to Twitter

 

Gallery

By Nicole Kobie

Posted on 25 Mar 2009 at 16:17

Primary school children could be required to learn about Twitter, Wikipedia and other web tools in school, under new draft curriculum plans.

According to the plans, which were leaked to The Guardian newspaper, web and new media skills could be taught alongside handwriting and literacy. Drawn up by former Ofsted head Sir Jim Rose, the full report is set for release next month.

Among other curriculum changes, primary school children would be expected to understand blogging, podcasts, Wikipedia and Twitter, as well as be able to type and use a spellchecker.

Stephen Crowne, the head of Government tech agency Becta, said that technology may well be an everyday part of students' lives, but bringing it into classrooms will help them use it intelligently and bring lessons to life.

"The effective use of technology not only complements, but enhances traditional core skills such as reading and writing, and boosts interest in what children are learning," he said in a statement.

"This is no substitute for good teaching, but it's a vital tool to develop knowledge and understanding and prepare children for the world."

Click here to follow PC Pro on Twitter