E-learning literacy program showing promise for Indigenous students
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A university study in the Northern Territory has found web based educational software is helping Indigenous students with English language literacy.
Charles Darwin University's associate Professor Tess Lea says an initial ten week trial of a games based program called Abracadabra brought surprising results for primary aged pupils struggling with simple letter recognition.
Professor Lea says the first round of research into the online program raises questions about the importance internet access for remote children.
"Does this help hold student learning even in conditions of high teacher turn over?
"And does it help also with kids who are intermittent attenders because they can pick up where they left off?
"These are two big questions that a very important in the Northern Territory context."
But while the software might help pupils who do not come to school regularly, Professor Lea says more research is needed.
"The other big danger here is that people rush to it as the next big magic bullet. People are desperate for solutions and they do a lemming rush to what sounds a new solution."
