Germany vs. Australia: Schools in Comparison
Sophie Middel, a German student checked her school against the school she visited during her stay in Australia. In Germany, she went to the same school as I did and experienced nearly the same things. Nothing seems to have changed then...
I asked her a couple of questions in order to find out the differences between the two schools and her impression about the effectiveness of using new media.
Thank you very much, Sophie, for your help! Here we go...
I asked her a couple of questions in order to find out the differences between the two schools and her impression about the effectiveness of using new media.
Thank you very much, Sophie, for your help! Here we go...
Sophie's School in Germany
1. Briefly describe the school you go to in Germany.
I go to a catholic and private academic high school named St.-Franziskus-Gymnasium. Almost 1000 students visit this school.
2. Briefly describe the equipment of your school regarding new media/technique (computers, laptops, smartboards, etc.). Would you say that your school is rather old-fashioned or modern?
In my school we have two computer rooms and a library with 10 computers. Overall 50 computers for 1000 students. I think that is not enough, because with the internet today you can learn easier and faster. I would say that my school is rather old-fashioned, because we don’t use modern technology very often and we still have school books for every subject!
3. Which tools (media) did your teachers use in the “Unterstufe” and “Mittelstufe”. Was it useful for you as a student?
We didn’t use a lot of media in the “Unterstufe” and “Mittelstufe”. Sometimes we were allowed to go to the library and search for information, but there have never been enough computers for everyone, which was useless for students who needed the internet for their work. We had to use new media for our homework, but not in the lessons.
4. Did you recognize any differences in using tools/media regarding the age of your teachers? Are the teachers generally motivated to design modern lessons and to use media and tools different from the traditional ones such as blackboard or overhead-projector?
When the teachers are younger and used to modern technology they try to use media and tools e.g. Power Point Presentations, videos, TV shows.
5. In which subjects do the teachers make use of new media most often? Briefly explain what you do.
We used new media (computer and internet) in my “math-informatics” class. Besides that we needed new media in our physic classes. Our teacher always had his laptop with him and sometimes we watched TV shows (Quarks & Co) or videos to different topics with the beamer in our physic room. Sometimes we were allowed to use the computer/internet in the library.
6. If you used new media (e.g. the computer or laptop), what exactly did you do?
When we had to use the computers we had to research information for group works/assignments.
7. Which tools did you use so far in your school in Germany?
(Weebly, Skype, Wordpress, PiratePad, YouTube…)
We didn’t use any of these tools. The only thing we used was a webpage called “virtuelles Klassenzimmer” where teacher’s can upload worksheets, so that we can print it.
8. How would you generally evaluate the lessons/ your school with regard to the implementation of new media (tools)?
The lessons are not very varied, because our school is not advanced concerning new media tools. We always use our school books and exercise books. It is boring because some school books are very old and there are no current reports, articles or texts in it.
9. If the implementation of new media (tools) is not that distinct, what are, in your poinion, the reasons
(for school and for teachers)?
I think the teacher’s opinions about new media tools especially laptops is that it has always been the same system with school books and they don’t want a big change. It is like a tradition that you can’t change. Moreover the teachers might think that we would be distracted by the laptops because we can use the internet and they cannot control what we are doing.
8. What would you change regarding your school and its learning system if you could?
I would change the learning system of my school by using laptops in school. We wouldn’t need schoolbooks anymore and it the bags would be much lighter. We can use the internet in classes and find information easily. A laptop offers a lot more different and changing kinds of learning and teaching. There are programs for the laptop that can be used in the lessons e.g. a math program which helps students to understand it better and to learn more effective or a language program that helps to learn vocabularies. All in all it would be much easier to learn and especially get (current) information in classes. After the tradition of school books we need something new. In my opinion the interest of the students would be more on the topics in the class because it is more varied.
I go to a catholic and private academic high school named St.-Franziskus-Gymnasium. Almost 1000 students visit this school.
2. Briefly describe the equipment of your school regarding new media/technique (computers, laptops, smartboards, etc.). Would you say that your school is rather old-fashioned or modern?
In my school we have two computer rooms and a library with 10 computers. Overall 50 computers for 1000 students. I think that is not enough, because with the internet today you can learn easier and faster. I would say that my school is rather old-fashioned, because we don’t use modern technology very often and we still have school books for every subject!
3. Which tools (media) did your teachers use in the “Unterstufe” and “Mittelstufe”. Was it useful for you as a student?
We didn’t use a lot of media in the “Unterstufe” and “Mittelstufe”. Sometimes we were allowed to go to the library and search for information, but there have never been enough computers for everyone, which was useless for students who needed the internet for their work. We had to use new media for our homework, but not in the lessons.
4. Did you recognize any differences in using tools/media regarding the age of your teachers? Are the teachers generally motivated to design modern lessons and to use media and tools different from the traditional ones such as blackboard or overhead-projector?
When the teachers are younger and used to modern technology they try to use media and tools e.g. Power Point Presentations, videos, TV shows.
5. In which subjects do the teachers make use of new media most often? Briefly explain what you do.
We used new media (computer and internet) in my “math-informatics” class. Besides that we needed new media in our physic classes. Our teacher always had his laptop with him and sometimes we watched TV shows (Quarks & Co) or videos to different topics with the beamer in our physic room. Sometimes we were allowed to use the computer/internet in the library.
6. If you used new media (e.g. the computer or laptop), what exactly did you do?
When we had to use the computers we had to research information for group works/assignments.
7. Which tools did you use so far in your school in Germany?
(Weebly, Skype, Wordpress, PiratePad, YouTube…)
We didn’t use any of these tools. The only thing we used was a webpage called “virtuelles Klassenzimmer” where teacher’s can upload worksheets, so that we can print it.
8. How would you generally evaluate the lessons/ your school with regard to the implementation of new media (tools)?
The lessons are not very varied, because our school is not advanced concerning new media tools. We always use our school books and exercise books. It is boring because some school books are very old and there are no current reports, articles or texts in it.
9. If the implementation of new media (tools) is not that distinct, what are, in your poinion, the reasons
(for school and for teachers)?
I think the teacher’s opinions about new media tools especially laptops is that it has always been the same system with school books and they don’t want a big change. It is like a tradition that you can’t change. Moreover the teachers might think that we would be distracted by the laptops because we can use the internet and they cannot control what we are doing.
8. What would you change regarding your school and its learning system if you could?
I would change the learning system of my school by using laptops in school. We wouldn’t need schoolbooks anymore and it the bags would be much lighter. We can use the internet in classes and find information easily. A laptop offers a lot more different and changing kinds of learning and teaching. There are programs for the laptop that can be used in the lessons e.g. a math program which helps students to understand it better and to learn more effective or a language program that helps to learn vocabularies. All in all it would be much easier to learn and especially get (current) information in classes. After the tradition of school books we need something new. In my opinion the interest of the students would be more on the topics in the class because it is more varied.
Notre Dame College in Australia
1. Which school did you go to in Australia?
I went to a catholic and private high school named Notre Dame College. Almost 1200 students visit this school
2. Briefly describe the equipment of your school regarding new media/technique (computers, laptops, smartboards, etc.). Would you say that your school was rather old-fashioned or modern?
My Australian school was very modern, because they introduced laptops for the students last year. Every student (when I was there only year 7 and 10 had laptops, because they only started using laptops a few weeks earlier.) got a laptop and we were able to use the internet and other programs that were useful for the classes. WebPages like Facebook, MySpace or YouTube were blocked, so that we weren’t distracted. If we had to use YouTube the teachers could unblock it. All students and teachers had a school email address, so that we could send messages and documents.
3. Which tools (media) did your teachers use and did you like them? (Why/ Why not) Was it useful for you as a student?
At Notre Dame College we got our worksheets needed for the lessons via an extra made homepage where teachers could upload necessary documents and the students also could upload their assignments or tasks. It was an easy way to get and sent documents. We also used YouTube e.g. in music lessons.
4. In which subjects do the teachers make use of new media most often?
We used the laptops in every class. Sometimes we didn’t need it for one or two lessons but we always had to take it with us.
5. If you used new media (e.g. the computer or laptop ), what exactly did you do?
When we had to use the laptops we needed it for research information and assignments.
6. Which tools did you use so far in your school in Australia?
(Weebly, Skype, Wordpress, PiratePad, YouTube…)
We used the Microsoft office tools mostly and sometimes we needed YouTube. We didn’t use a lot, because it was a new system. I think in a few years they will use more tools.
7. How would you generally evaluate the lessons/ your school with regard to the implementation of new media (tools)?
The lessons were more varied and the school was more modern. To me the lessons weren’t boring or monotonous. We could communicate with students and teachers via email and sent documents to them which were much easier than printing.
8. If the implementation of new media (tools) is not that distinct, what are the reasons in your opinion (for school and for teachers)? If it is the other way round, do you have an idea why?
I think they started the new system with laptops because it is easier and more modern than school books. Sending documents to the teachers and getting information of the internet for assignments is a really good and an advanced method. Nowadays everyone has to be able to use computers and it is a good way to show how to use Microsoft office tools.
9.What would you change regarding the school’s learning system if you could?
I liked the school system with the laptops better. It was more varied and we were able to do assignments in class. At first it annoyed me that the boys always played games (I think that is a reason why some schools don’t try the new way of learning) but after a while the teachers could see our screens on their computers.
Last but not least....
10. If you had a child and you could decide which school the child would go to, what would you do and why.
If I have a child I would like him/her to go to the school with the laptops, because you need computers in your whole life e.g. work. Today some people are in trouble when they cannot use a computer properly. The new way of communication is good as well. If my child wants to go to the school without laptops, I would be fine too.
I went to a catholic and private high school named Notre Dame College. Almost 1200 students visit this school
2. Briefly describe the equipment of your school regarding new media/technique (computers, laptops, smartboards, etc.). Would you say that your school was rather old-fashioned or modern?
My Australian school was very modern, because they introduced laptops for the students last year. Every student (when I was there only year 7 and 10 had laptops, because they only started using laptops a few weeks earlier.) got a laptop and we were able to use the internet and other programs that were useful for the classes. WebPages like Facebook, MySpace or YouTube were blocked, so that we weren’t distracted. If we had to use YouTube the teachers could unblock it. All students and teachers had a school email address, so that we could send messages and documents.
3. Which tools (media) did your teachers use and did you like them? (Why/ Why not) Was it useful for you as a student?
At Notre Dame College we got our worksheets needed for the lessons via an extra made homepage where teachers could upload necessary documents and the students also could upload their assignments or tasks. It was an easy way to get and sent documents. We also used YouTube e.g. in music lessons.
4. In which subjects do the teachers make use of new media most often?
We used the laptops in every class. Sometimes we didn’t need it for one or two lessons but we always had to take it with us.
5. If you used new media (e.g. the computer or laptop ), what exactly did you do?
When we had to use the laptops we needed it for research information and assignments.
6. Which tools did you use so far in your school in Australia?
(Weebly, Skype, Wordpress, PiratePad, YouTube…)
We used the Microsoft office tools mostly and sometimes we needed YouTube. We didn’t use a lot, because it was a new system. I think in a few years they will use more tools.
7. How would you generally evaluate the lessons/ your school with regard to the implementation of new media (tools)?
The lessons were more varied and the school was more modern. To me the lessons weren’t boring or monotonous. We could communicate with students and teachers via email and sent documents to them which were much easier than printing.
8. If the implementation of new media (tools) is not that distinct, what are the reasons in your opinion (for school and for teachers)? If it is the other way round, do you have an idea why?
I think they started the new system with laptops because it is easier and more modern than school books. Sending documents to the teachers and getting information of the internet for assignments is a really good and an advanced method. Nowadays everyone has to be able to use computers and it is a good way to show how to use Microsoft office tools.
9.What would you change regarding the school’s learning system if you could?
I liked the school system with the laptops better. It was more varied and we were able to do assignments in class. At first it annoyed me that the boys always played games (I think that is a reason why some schools don’t try the new way of learning) but after a while the teachers could see our screens on their computers.
Last but not least....
10. If you had a child and you could decide which school the child would go to, what would you do and why.
If I have a child I would like him/her to go to the school with the laptops, because you need computers in your whole life e.g. work. Today some people are in trouble when they cannot use a computer properly. The new way of communication is good as well. If my child wants to go to the school without laptops, I would be fine too.
NDC Year 7
Thanks again for the interview, Sophie!
Sophie wrote an argumentative reader's letter which she gave me, too. The content is similar to the questions above. It is interesting to read and to get an opinion from someone who actually has to cope with what the school offers - either traditional or even better, modern technology. As a student, you don't have much influence on how your school works and you have to accept that your education is the way it is.
| readers_letter.pdf |
To Sum It Up...
This interview shows that, at least for the two schools compared, Germany is still rather old-fashioned and it will probably take a while until the "new" is accepted here as well. The attitude of the teachers has to change and our educational system has to be modernized in order to enable schools to enhance and develop their equipment and teaching methods. In how far this development will take place can only be guessed. We have to wait a couple of years in order to know the answer! :)
Picture taken from: http://www.notredame.vic.edu.au/college_information/college_information_2.htm#SPECIAL_FEATURES
added: January 2011
