Note: Teachers are not the only professionals to be captured by their computers.

Nowadays, it is easy for teachers to become “captured” by computers. They become “jailed” at their teachers’ tables.

This happens because of the emphasis placed on data collection and analysis. Everything educational focuses on and is derived from data-driven outcomes. It is too easy for teachers to become so focused on data collection that the computer is a constant companion. Rather than moving around the classroom and working with children, there is a tendency to be deskbound, asking children to orally deliver results (often from across the room) so they can be input into the computer.

This, in turn encourages children to ‘one-way traffic’ from their desks to the teacher’s table. The teacher stays desk-bound.

The teachers of all students, particularly early childhood and primary children, need to be among them, moving from desk to desk.

Data, of course, has to be input, but if that takes priority over the more active movement of teaching and working directly with students, then something needs to change.

Teachers must be aware of and make “mind notes” of their time locked at their tables with their computers. That ought not to be the significant percentage of time occupation.

I believe children respect teachers who move among them. That movement is also necessary for teachers to get to know their pupils in the best possible way. Teachers must spend time at their desks with their computers, but it should be reasonable and not overdone.