No computer for you, student!

I'm surprised at the responses so far. Maybe I need to re-think this. For 95% of the way computers are used by the common person, they can be taught within a matter of a week or two to "use a computer". It's not like it's rocket science or something.

 

No, I don't think that's necessarily the problem. Many Asian countries are still using teaching methods from the dark ages, and they produce some pretty smart kids (with some r****ded social skills, but...). Laziness and lack of discipline is this country's undoing when it comes to education. Education isn't really a priority here because people have become accustomed to being on top of the world in terms of wealth, luxury, entertainment, etc. In impoverished, 3rd/old world countries (thanks to tech!) education is a way out or a way up and is a way to fulfill ambition. Moreso than here, anyway.

 

I think the computer is a great teaching tool and the problem is that most teachers doesn't know how to take advantage of that. Kids are usually stimulate through visual and from what I remember best are the time that we get so watch some really cool and inspiring documentary and educational videos. The problem I think most teachers are afraid with the mentality that kids are learning much better than the way that they are teaching them and that is kind of true in a way. But they should embrace the technology and find a proper way to incorporate it into they education system that will benefit both.

 

One of my most painful memories growing up involved technology. Or not having said technology. Let me explain. Back in high school, everyone who was anyone had the new Motorola RAZR phone. It was the picture of coolness. As for me I was stuck having to use an ancient, god forsaken Nokia 8210 phone as I did not come from a background of such considerable means. This led to some innocent taunts as being known as the "poor kid." I think not having a Motorola RAZR definitely had some lingering effects in regard to self esteem that I still deal with today.

I think the lesson I have learned through all of this, is when I have my first born son- the first gift I will bestow upon him is an Iphone or Iphone equivalent. He needs to learn to be a strong individual and I think appropriate technology will lead him to great things.

 

Wow I remember those Razr phones. Those were quite schytte. I stuck with my nokia.

Also I never had a cell phone until I turned 18. That's 2nd year in college. I was way behind. Now I see my friggin nieces in elementary playing with iPhones.

world = unfair.

 

I like it. I think a lot of kids today don't know how to write because of computers. They don't have to research a topic to write a paper because they can just google it and get all the answers. Plagiarism is rampant because of it. I also heard that kids don't learn to write cursive any longer. They print like 3rd graders.

 

Teenagers are so spoiled now and lazy. High-speed internet and cell phones didn't even become the norm until I was nearly out of high school. Back then all the neighborhood kids used to be outside. Now they're all inside playing WOW and CoD together.

 

That is exactly what your parents generation of adults thought of you, and their parents thought of them, so on and so on...

(Cursive is the most useless "tool" that I was ever forced to learn)
The computer itself is the most valuable educational tool of all time. So efficient that we don't even need teachers. You can literally learn anything you want to, anything, at anytime. We want to take that away? Talk about destroying a potential genius mind...

 

I always thought of cursive as an exercise in hand eye coordination

Rocket River

 

One of the greatest baseball players of all time couldn't write (or read)... :grin:

(Seriously though)

 

I'm 38 and computers were barely in schools when I was in public school. I think the only 'required' computer class was a few labs in Jr. High, and nothing in HS.

I'm back in school in an online program at a legit school (UMASS), and I can tell you that I enjoy it far more than going to a brick-and-mortar class, information is more easily available (internet vs trips to the library) and it's far more self-paced. However, the computer doesn't 'think' for me outside of a calculator, and I can type far faster than I can write.

If I do need help that my profs can't provide, there are also great online tutoring services that are a good bargain, and since I can type everything, it speeds the process up.

The cheating aspect is all in the upbringing of your child. If you teach them proper values, they won't cheat, pure and simple. It's hard in our society where get rich or dye tryin' is the mantra, but it's up to you to teach your kids right from wrong.

Overall, I would have loved to have access to these tools when I was in grade school.

(I will admit that spellcheck has ruint me for spelling)

 

Anyone can use a computer to open an internet browser and type in things in Google, but that does prove that you know how to use a computer.

 

Not only is this completely exaggerated, but you are making a vast overgeneralization. Not every kid is a 300-pound behemoth sitting in his mother's basement eating McDonald's and playing Call of Duty 9-to-5.

 

Agreed 100%. Again, it's down to parenting. Letting your kid play video games all day is lazy parenting. It's a great babysitter. I'll admit that I'm guilty of it from time to time. Still, we play board games, draw, paint, read books every night before bed (my son is 5).

Tech is making lot of it is going the way of the dodo though, like cursive. My wife and I play Monopoly on my iPad and it's just as fun as it is to pull out the real board. I prefer reading on a tablet because of the weight and cumbersomeness of a book. For school, I can search digital books for a words or names, which speeds up research papers.

 

I like the idea of that school. Kids learn technology on their own. They don't have to be taught. My 4-year-old nephew can do more with computers than my 60-year-old mother. He picks it up naturally. She has to be shown every step on everything she does. On the other hand, I feel like electronics have hampered a lot of kids' social skills. So, having a respite from them might help.

 

Different schools doing different things is scary. They need to stick to the federal mandates.

 

this is it, sadly.

don't forget- use wikipedia for every single essay for the rest of their K-12 education.

I work at a non-profit arts and education based after-school program. we give the kids educational programs and editing/comic book making software.

we end up shutting off the computers daily because they are mindlessly playing shoot em up video games.

social networking and youtube is blocked, thank god