There’s no doubt that digital tools are increasingly part of children’s and parents’ school experiences. But often it seems the effects of these tools on children’s whole learning and social interactions is an afterthought.

Today in The Conversation Canada, Lucas Johnson of Lakehead University examines the use of freemium software in classrooms: Software that is free for all users to obtain and use, but only with limited features. When users pay, they can unlock further features.

He writes: “In educational settings, software — whether for teaching and learning or parent-teacher communication — should not have tiered offerings where users who have the financial means to pay are privy to a better version of the software with additional features and tools.”

If freemium software is being used, he writes, it should be selected based on evidence and licensed so all students and parents have the same access.

Also today:

Regards,

Susannah Schmidt

Education + Arts Editor
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Why freemium software has no place in our classrooms

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Software that advertises premium features for a fee is ill-suited to school environments, where children should experience universal access.
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La Conversation Canada
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