Parents in high-tech region send kids to low-tech school

[MDdan]

Interesting link on Slashdot, about parents that work in technology sending their kids to a school without computers.

I wholeheartedly agree with the perspective of the parents in this article. Learning to move a mouse and use powerpoint is not education, and is a waste of time that could have been used to teach kids how to think. It's sad to see schools wasting money and effort on computers, while at the same time they're cutting other more important programs.

Computers in schools is just the latest educational fad, in years past, TV was the fad, and before that, radio. Neither of those technologies delivered on their promises, and computers in the classroom will not deliver either. Technology is not the answer when it comes to teaching kids how to think.

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/orego...7825853188.xml

http://slashdot.org/articles/02/02/1....shtml?tid=146

[phenious]

While I agree with you on the idea that kids should be tought to think before they are tought how to be button pushers I still see the need for the PCs Almost all jobs that pay for a decent living use the computer. Most employers save some money by hiring people that already know how to use microsoft word and Excel and Powerpoint. Sure if the kids are tought how to think maybe they could just pick up really fast but while there are simpler options I dont see that happening. Oh well... Ill let you know how I turn in out in a few Years

-: phenious :-

[MDdan]

It would not be hard to teach a reasonably intelligent 18 year old how to use Word, Excel and Powerpoint at the level required in most offices in about 1 week.

Besides, even if I grant that knowing how to use Word, Excel and Powerpoint is a skill required by employers, doesn't that really fit in the catagory of vocational training? But those pushing technology in the schools are trying to say that it's required for teaching reading, math, logic, etc. And I think that's a bunch of hooey!

Computers are not the solution to the weakness in our educational system.

[lost]

But when will schools teach kids to think? From my own experience grade schools do not want you to think, just do as you are told.

[phenious]

No, They are far from the solution. They are a tool. To aid. Thats the whole concept, Manage data. Im a wreck when it comes to orginization for school... papers here papers there. My answer? a PDA. It allows me to function at a quicker level. I still have learned how to orginaize my self but I use my PDA as a tool to help me. I take more notes and I dont lose em as easily. Will I die if my PDA runs out of juice? Nope, most of the time I write down notes on paper then later transfer em to my PDA for a better orginization.

My school requires 1 semester of any of the computer classes offered. The two newest additions are CISCO (prepares you for a CCNA Cert.) and CSS, a computer service class. After that it is up to you on what you take. Other then the requirement of the core classes. (English, Math, Science, History) they also require at least 2 years of the same second language. This isnt really a public school here though. It has been my school the whole time though... only about 2000 students @ most, 9-12th grade. It is for the military children (but not a military school) but in the US Im considered to be a well rounded individual dispite the fact that most of my classes revolve around computers.

Not that any of that had relevence but I figured it was usefull some how.... anyways. I cant really give a vaild opinion about the US Schools and how they teach. Our school has @least one computer in every class but normally more. We have 4 Computer labs though. about 80 High end Dell Systems (leased) Our computers are used mainly for research in classes minus math... we just stick to our TI 83 Graphing Calculators for that. Most teachers do incurage the internet as a place to gather information.

ok this post is to long to edit to make more sense or to keep directly on the topic.

-: phenious :-

[MDdan]

Phenious, I don't have any problem with the kind of stuff you're referring to. I think it's great that your school offers a CCNA program, and has lots of computers available.

But the problem is that schools view computers as necessary for children to learn basic skills like reading, math, logic, etc. And computers are very poorly suited for that task.

Use a computer to stay organized, great. Use one as a word processor, great. It's a tool, not an end in itself. And schools seem to be pursuing computers as an end, not a tool.

Most elementary schools would be better off spending money on the library, not a computer on every desk.

Not very important, kids can learn just fine without them.

Quote:

"I've got friends in Washington state whose kids need to bring a computer disk with them to school in first grade as part of their school supplies,"

Why the hell should some 6 year old have to bring a disk to school? They can learn how to use a computer at home. We need to spend more money on more teachers and books than computers in too many of our schools. After all schools have 15-20 students to a teacher then we can worry about adding computers in k-8.

Quote:

The Swallowtail parents' belief -- that computer skills are best taught at home or postponed until high school -- runs counter to that of many of their colleagues and neighbors, public school parents who worry aloud that their elementary-aged children don't have adequate access to the fastest, best computers.

[MrBlues]

My kids grew up in a household that supports pc's. I bought each child and spouse their own computer so they stayed off of mine. When the kids took classes to learn about computers, they knew more than the teachers did. The instruction is very archaic and does not allow for creativity.

IMHO

[jkrohn]

Ok, here's my views

I am completely against computers in each classroom. It amounts to little more than a huge waste of money as they sit for 60% of the time unused and 40% of the time playing games, chatting, etc. They end up being used for entertainment and not education.

As for having a computers class I am all for it. When I was in gradeschool we had a computers class. From the early ages, 3rd grade up or so, you played games like word munchers and number munchers. Educational games that we all thought were fun, that helped you learn at the same time. When we got to sixth grade, they taught you to type for a semester. We didn't just sit around and play games the entire time, though there would be days when they would let you play games to keep everyone interested. I think this accomplishes a dual purpose, it helps you learn important things as well as familiarizing children with PCs.

Another thing I'm for is computers in the library with internet access, etc. These are invaluable tools at the high school level, and it seems there are never enough in the library to go around. When it comes to research there is no better tool, especially in a smaller school that may not have as extensive of a library.

Also in high school, at least in my city and a few other cities I know of, we offered a business computers class. Taught everyone to use Word, Excel, Access, etc. This class was not required, but avaliable for taking. I see this as the best solution, it should not be the schools responsiblity to put computers in the classroom as they hardly ever get used for their purposes, butto put computers in other places where they will get used as intended is a good idea.

Jkrohn

[disciple]

My children have had a computer of there own since they were three years old. They have valued greatly from it. But I would agree it is not replacement for learning how to think or basic problem solving they have computers in school actually many of them but the school limits the time and projects on them. In fact when my daughter was in kindergarten she would bring home homework which was about a page a day as year progressed it became more intense and was a very good start for her and my son who now has the same teacher. Her reading and comprhension skills are on a 6th grade level she is in the second grade, all because she has had very good teachers. As for art she is very accomplished and does little on the computer as to art I think this will be better for now later maybe this will change.