Matthias_Kraner@credo.shef.ac.uk
Thu, 3 Dec 1998 23:14:02 +0100
From: Matthias_Kraner@credo.shef.ac.uk Subject: [ifets] Re: ifets-digest V1 #65 Date: Thu, 3 Dec 1998 23:14:02 +0100
Just a thought:
I wouldn't send my children to a school which extensively uses computers
for learning useless things like word processing, spreadsheets and other
applications.
I think there are about three things I would allow my children to learn:
1. slice of background theory on how computer works and why they work
2. why Internet works and what are the standards available (the rest they
are anyway catching up quicker than we do)
3. typewriting ( I am afraid it might take a while until we will get rid of
keyboards and keying traumas) - even though it is only a skill!
However none of it should be found in a primary school. I would even argue
there should be no computer in a primary school at all.
What they learn in the age of 7 will be out of date with the age of 17
anyway - so you just wasted time!
Children should spend their time on the countryside and in school they
should learn things which really contributes to their personality - things
like:
- art
- music (any kind of instrument)
- languages (at least two)
- religious education
- reading
- writing
- calculating
- sports
In my opinion this is training for the brain and for the full child -
computer is just a tool (have we been taught how to use a hammer and a saw
in primary school?)
If school goes on you can add on good structured content in Biology,
Chemistry and Physics - sorry but all the other rest even if they have more
modern names is useless. Everything what a computer does in respect of
application can be learned in 1/2 a year and if the school has layed proper
foundations you will anyway have no problems at university and you need
another three-five years and you are at the state of the art.
Matthias
PHD student in Computer Science and father of three children
fighting for a nice and "rich" childhood!
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