VULFSVI@kellyservices.com
Tue, 4 Aug 1998 16:53:43 -0700
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From: VULFSVI@kellyservices.com Date: Tue, 4 Aug 1998 16:53:43 -0700 Subject: [ifets] Kids and computers
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Gary Grant wrote:
>I didn't expect this discussion to bring in my personal parenting
>experiences, but I find this absolutely intriguing, especially the >idea
that computers might hamper a child's imagination.
>While I am sure there are risks, especially associated with overuse >(as
>with anything), I'm not sure I understand the fear of interaction with
>the
>computer for young children.
>Recently, when my two year old joined me at my computer, I was >fascinated
>to see her figure out and make the connection between moving the mouse
>and
>the moving cursor.
>I think there is a tendency to compare the computer (or through it the
>internet) to the television. This may be a mistake since (1) the
>computer
>offers interactivity and control which should promote creativity and >(2)
>Most content online involves a great deal more reading than passive >video
>watching.
I used video as an example of how technology may impact the young in
unwarranted ways. Since computers have the possibility of even greater
impact, I recommend caution. It is not merely the passive nature of video
and television that is potentially deleterious. Even if we look at just
the physical attributes of computers: screen radiation, screen glare, RSI,
etc. we can say that we truly don't know the long range effects of these
elements. Why should we expose our young ones? What are the compelling
reasons demanding that our young children use computers? Some of the
school computer setups I have seen have been horrendous in this respect.
I think your parenting experiences are germane. My two year old son has
also shown an interest in the mouse. He loves tools of any shape or form.
However, ITSs are not merely the link of mouse movement to a mouse pointer.
ITSs, if nothing else, are full-bore learning environments. They have the
power to simulate reality in meaningful ways. My argument here is not
about sporadic incidental non-institutionalized computer use for creative
purposes by the very young. My concern is that we are even mentioning
ITSs for the very young. Don't we have better things to do?
I would defer to the moderators with respect to this line of discussion but
in the absence of any good research to shed light on our collective
expressed opinions on this topic, I'd like to see us move on.
Vilnis Vulfs
Senior Instructional Designer
Kelly Services
vilnis_vulfs@kellyservices.com
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