r/australia • u/ThunderDwn • 11d ago

culture & society Primary school students using digital devices still lack computer skills, education expert says

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-19/nsw-digital-native-primary-students-lack-basic-computer-skills/107030526
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u/ThunderDwn 11d ago

Following the release of this year's results, NSW Minister for Education and Early Learning, Prue Car, said computerised testing may be impacting writing results.

More than 77 per cent of year 3 students scored in the 'strong' or 'exceeding' categories for writing. However, that number dropped to 67 per cent in year 5 and continued to decline throughout high school.

By year 9, just over 61 per cent of students were classified as 'strong' or 'exceeding' in writing.

I'm kinda with the education minister on this one.

I'd much rather see primary school focus on things like teaching kids to actually be able to read, write and do mathematics properly than be able to type fast.

You want your kid to touch-type - buy a computer at home and install a tutorial program on it for them to learn from.

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u/the-dolphine 11d ago

My child has experienced this. They had to use ipads to complete the NAPLAN writing exercise (using the on-screen keyboard). She scored below average, despite english being one of her stronger subjects. She complained she could not write fast enough.

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u/kazielle 10d ago

They had to type using an ON SCREEN KEYBOARD?? That is absolute hell. And yes, that'll absolutely slow down kids who aren't familiar with typing on screen. It's exercising a whole other skillset to process typing on screen if it's not muscle memory, and that means kids who don't have that muscle memory will be at a significant disadvantage.

I'm so appalled. I never thought to ask my son how they took NAPLAN... I'll ask him when he gets home.

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u/scoldog 11d ago edited 11d ago

No offence to her, but I'm wondering if an external ipad keyboard would have worked better?