Technology focus 'harms education'

9 September 2009 06:27pm

Almost six in 10 pupils freely admit to using information found on the internet in their homework without even reading it, research has found.

And more than a quarter (28.5%) think it is an acceptable practice, even though they know it is considered plagiarism, according to a study by the Cranfield School of Management.

The study, based on a sample of around 260 pupils aged from 11 to 18 at a secondary school in the Midlands, looked at how technologies such as the internet and mobile phones are having a disruptive effect on children's learning.

It found that 59.2% said they have used information on the internet without having read it in whole or in part.

The report also reveals that so-called "text-speak" is finding its way into pupils' school work.

Three in 10 (29.2%) of students admit to using text message shortcuts, such as "r u ok".

And nearly four in 10 (39.3%) admitted that text-speak has damaged the quality of their written English work, especially spelling.

Many pupils are flouting school rules on mobile phones.

Some 84.3% said they were aware of their school's policy, but choose to ignore it. More than a third (35.6%) said they would use their mobile in class, while nearly three quarters (73.8%) said they would not even make an excuse to leave class to answer a phone call.

The researchers also quizzed pupils about the time they spend using a mobile phone and the internet. They found that a fifth (20.6%) of pupils spend up to six hours a day on the internet, and almost one in 10 (9%) spend more than six hours a day online.

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