B1 – Intermediate
Global XPrize aims to help the poorest children of the world to learn how to read and write by developing a user-friendly app. They will test the winning app with thousands of children in Africa by using a tablet to learn.
Let us know your opinion after reading the full article and watching the video.
https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/can-a-computer-teach-children-to-read-and-write/4055194.html
Discussion Questions:
- What are your thoughts on the Global XPrize competition?
- Do you think that children will be able to teach themselves basic educational skills with only a tablet? Why or why not?
- Is the U.N.’s goal to provide “universal primary and secondary education by 2030” realistic? Why or why not?
- Do you think that computers will play a major role in education in the near future? Why or why not?
- Would you say that teachers are an essential part of the education system? Why or why not?
8 replies on “Can a Computer Teach Children to Read and Write?”
1 – I think it is an institution with clear and achievable goals
2- The use of digital tools is important, but I still think it would be good to have support from a teacher, that way it becomes more child-friendly.
3- In my opinion, yes, it is realistic, I think illiteracy is a global problem, especially in poor countries where opportunities are not the same as in developed countries.
4- Computers and artificial intelligence will undoubtedly play an important role in the future, but it is important to accompany this educational development with real teachers, who create a close bond with students.
5- Yes, teachers will continue to be an essential part of education as they create a human bond in the learning process.
Good to hear your thoughts on this subject.
Here is a sentence that can be improved:
Keep going with this exercise.
The work of global Xprize is very good and important.
Poor children can learn to read and write, the way to do it with technology helps children enjoy it.
It is an effective and entertaining way, tablets are already used in schools.
Appreciate you sharing your ideas regarding this topic.
See how this sentence can be improved:
Practice more to continue reaching your language goals.
What kind of techniques or methods have you tried to improve your speaking skills?/ Which is the most effective method?
What helps me the most are conversation classes. I have also tested Exchange meetings with foreign people.
What do you think about the technique in the video?
I think it is something that can helps, but I think that it is better to have a teacher who can corrects your mistakes.
What are your weaknesses and strengths in English?
In the past, I was much better in Reading and writing than in speaking and listening. With the conversation classes I can say that I have considerably improve my skills in the last two ones.
1. What are your thoughts on the Global XPrize competition?/ 2. Do you think that children will be able to teach themselves basic educational skills with only a tablet? Why? Why not?
I think that it is a good idea that can contribute to devolop the qualities of children that do not have access to school. However, I have doubts about the idea that theachers may not be necessary for that children.
3. Would you describe the U.N.’s goal to provide “universal primary and secondary education by 2030” as realistic? Why? Why not?
I’m affraid that it is not very realistic, since there are only seven years left to 2030 and there are still too many children in the world that do not have access to school.
4. Do you think that computers will play a major role in education in the near future? Why? Why not?
Yes. Currently, computers are completely implemented in the society, and the lack of computer skills today may be assimilate to be iliterate.
5. Would you say that teachers are an essential part of the education system? Why? Why not?
Yes. I think that devices can provide very important help in education, however, what the teacher figure provides, cannot be substituted by any computer or application.
6. Do you think it’s necessary to use tablets and apps to teach children how to read and write?
I think that children can perfectly learn t oread and write without the use of a tablet. However, considering that we live in the computer age, I think it is also important that they can devolope their computer skills.
Good work practicing your writing again today. Keep up the nice job!
Improve this sentence a bit with better word choices:
Until your next entry!
1. In my opinion it’s a very good initiative because it’s true that is impossible to cover all the demand of teachers that the children need for learn.
With this initiative probably increase the number of children who will have the possibility to access to tools to they can learn.
2. Yes, why not? Probably they need a very very good program or application for the tablet but definitely this is better that not have anything. In cases that they having the possibility to have a teacher for intensify the lessons which the children learn in the tablet is the best option but when they can’t any teacher I think that the better way for learn languages for the children are this type of initiatives.
3. No, I think that is not very realistic this goal. In only 13 years the situation need to change a lot and I think to we need more years for get this objective.
If this initiative work very well and get implanted in many places all over the poor poblations without teachers, schools and facilities for learn probably this goal will be a reality but in my opinion will need more than 13 years.
4. Yes, definitely. In fact I have a colleague in my work that have children and one of them go to a school that having a new programme of education that use only a tablet for all the subjects. The principal differences respect to the traditional education with books and notebooks it’s found in the form that the children learn the different lessons. It seems that they need to think and learn and not only learn for doing a good exam.
In the case of children who don’t having any formation and need to learn all probably it’s differente and need an specific app but the metodology probably it’s similar in general that the case of the children of my colleague.
5. Yes I think that is an essential part but in cases that don’t have the possibility to have teachers it’s a good form to learn for the people that live in this places. Probably with teachers need less time for learn the different lessons but in all the cases I think that is better that nothing.