Study shows Ontario studies among the top internationally
In a new international study believed to be the first of its kind, Ontario students place among the best in computer literacy, tying with Australia and the Czech Republic for the top spot. This competence seems to be apparent, despite Ontario provincial schools not placing a priority on use of technology in classrooms when compared to other countries.
The International Computer and Information Literacy Study was administered to approximately 60,000 grade eight students in 20 countries, where participants were scored out of a possible 600 points on their ability to perform basic tasks, like copying and saving documents, and creating or modifying information while multitasking different applications. Around 3,700 randomly selected students from 200 schools in Ontario participated, and scored an overall average 547 points, compared to the international average of 500.
The students were not alone in their success. Ontario teachers were reported to also have ranked well, with a higher level of confidence in completing tasks like attaching files to emails or installing software, compared to their counterparts in other participating jurisdictions.
“It should inspire both pride and confidence that Ontario students fared so well on the (study), given how important computer information literacy is to life in the digital age,” said Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) Board of Directors Chair, Brian Desbiens, in a press release.
The CEO of EQAO, Bruce Rodrigues, shared these same sentiments, noting how Ontario’s efforts to integrate technology in the classroom were worthwhile.
“Because we’ve done that over the years, I think that our students are in fact more comfortable with its use in the learning process,” said Rodrigues.
“The reason that’s important is that, as we move into looking at some of the global competencies in innovation…students will need to be able to be nimble with the use of computers to compete in the global economy.”
While Ontario did score in the top worldwide, they did not outperform their international peers in all categories. Students were found to score slightly below the international average when it came to completing tasks that were slightly more advanced, such as creating a program, database, or website, or setting up software to find and get rid of viruses. In fact, while girls reportedly scored higher on average in overall computer literacy, boys were found to be more confident on performing the advanced tasks.
Despite school principals remarking about Ontario placing a high priority in technology in the classroom, Ontario classrooms still showed to have less emphasis on technology in comparison to the international average, in almost all areas that were measured. Most schools in Ontario have even complained about the outdated and insufficient equipment that hinders them in teaching, compared to other jurisdictions.
In Canada, only two provinces — Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador — that took part in the study, however Newfoundland and Labrador’s scores were not available. It is nevertheless interesting to see Ontario place in the top internationally for computer-savvy skills. Hopefully, other provinces will take part in the study in the future as well.