Kids relying on the interweb for homework?

By Steve Biddle, in General, posted: 17-JAN-2007 13:33

I was reading the latest Telecom Press Release today:

http://www.telecom-media.co.nz/releases_detail.asp?id=3408&page=index

"In October last year, as part of a survey of nearly 450 ten-year-olds,
Telecom found that 57 percent used the Internet as their main source of
homework information, alongside library books at 18 percent,
encyclopaedias at nine percent and text books at four percent."

Is this a scary thought? We all know that the internet is an amazing place but as we all know not everything you read is correct. How accurate is the information that many could be relying on for their homework?

Other related posts:
TV1 and TV3 6PM News Ultimate Maths Fail
3News Incompetence
Merry Christmas Everybody!

Permalink to Kids relying on the interweb for homework? | Add a comment (2 comments) | Main Index

Comment by JAMMAN2110, on 17-JAN-2007 14:44

Isn't it all relative? and I thought they were taught that not everything is right or real..

Comment by tonyhughes, on 17-JAN-2007 15:29

Id rather rely on corroborated and cross referenced material from several sources on the internet than vy for one of 2 copies of a relevant, but old book from an underfunded school library, when 30 kids get the same assignment, and all head to the library at once to check it out.

Its like Wikipedia - sure, you dont place your entire belief in a Wikipedia article, but if that article agrees with an official website, press releases, blog posts, community forums and the 6 o'clock news, then chances are that its spot on.

I think people need to learn to be resourceful, to be able to search well, to cross reference information, to form an educated opinion about the likelihood of something being true, or if that likelihood is not high enough, to continue your research.

Add a comment

Please note: comments that are inappropriate or promotional in nature will be deleted. E-mail addresses are not displayed, but you must enter a valid e-mail address to confirm your comments.

Are you a registered Geekzone user? Login to have the fields below automatically filled in for you and to enable links in comments. If you have (or qualify to have) a Geekzone Blog then your comment will be automatically confirmed and shown in this blog post.

sbiddle's profile

Steve Biddle
Wellington
New Zealand

I like to think I know a thing or two about lots of things!

My interests include:

*VoIP (incl Asterisk/trixbox)

*Telecommunications

*Structured cabling

*Computer networking

*CCTV solutions

*Alarm solutions

*Home theatre

*HTPC solutions (Freeview|HD)

*Pizza & Beer

Need help with trixbox or VoIP solutions or require VoIP consultancy in Wellington? I can help!

You can contact me here or by email at stevenbiddle@gmail.com

Located in NZ and after a cheap way to call friends or family in Australia?

Faktortel VoIP offers plans from $0 per month that offer you the convenience of being able to call landline numbers anywhere in Australia from A$ 10c per call (yes *per call*, not per minute!). An optional Australian DDI number also lets friends and family call you and they will only pay the cost of a local call. Interested? Check out Faktortel for more details.