Studies needed on using technology in schools

The biggest change in the classroom over the past few years has been the steady increase of e-reading programs using reading eggs, chrome books, ipads and BYOD for children from 7 or 8 years old. In effect, children are spending more time reading from screens and less from books. Several overseas studies have linked electronic reading with slightly poorer literacy outcomes. Despite a push to use these to improve engagement, they also found that children report a preference for book reading. Although there is some evidence for improvements in educational outcomes with technology, a study going into schools showed what many parents suspected, that young children’s learning isn’t supported by screen/game-based learning and they are mostly playing the fun parts at low levels. It seems sensible, as others have commented, that with the significant increase of device use in schools, an independent evidence-based review of our digital curriculum needs to take place. Lorna Simmonds, Mt Eden

Enough of the rockstars

I am puzzled by John Roughan stating in Saturday’s Herald that he feels “rather proud to see rockstars and internet billionaires buying breathtakingly beautiful landscape in remote parts” of his country. I refer him to the opinion piece by Heather du Plessis-Allan, especially the last seven paragraphs, in the Herald on Sunday (Home is where the heart is, December 3).This should be compulsory reading for those politicians who insist there is nothing wrong with allowing offshore residents to purchase properties here, unchecked, until now. Richard Wynne, Henderson

Stop myrtle rust now

When will we have a rahui to stop the spread of myrtle rust before it is too late? Bruce Tubb, Belmont Crying ignorance won’t wash It is a little rich for Phil Twyford, Jacinda Ardern and the various current Government ministers with portfolios to whine about not knowing the seriousness of the housing and social issues they so vehemently protested and berated us all about before being put in office by NZ First. Now the chickens have come home to roost they wheel out the typical “we didn’t know” excuse. Sorry, that doesn’t wash anymore. That they have to create new ministries and consultancies underlines it. Expect more smoke screen issues in the future. Max Wagstaff, Glendowie

Can’t wait for water changes

In episode one of Moving out with Tamati,

Tamati Coffey stood less than 5m from a council sign on Laingholm Beach warning of pollution. Coffey described it as: “A dream location, the beach, the bush, a safe environment for the kids to run around in. This is where most of us would escape to if we were moving out.” The sign warned of poisonous shellfish and toxic algal bloom and said the beach is unsafe for swimming, and has been all year. The 2.8 per cent water quality levy Phil Goff wants to introduce cannot come soon enough. Steve Russell, Hillcrest

Feral pigs bad for kauri

If Kauri dieback is to be combated in the Waitakeres the feral pig issue needs to be properly addressed. For over a decade there have been extensive areas of pig digging visible — and that is just what we see near the tracks. This was particularly noticeable close to kauri trees. Before closing the range to walkers, sort the pigs. Trish Jenner, Belmont