While I don't really agree with delaying computer usage until high school, I can certainly understand a backlash against techno-overkill.
Take calculators for example. I was exposed to calculators but was NEVER allowed to use them for homework until advanced math in high school - long after I had learned basic math. Now, I see my 3rd grace niece using a calculator given to her by the school for her homework and tests. When I ask her if they teach her the multiplication tables, she says "we just use the calculator".
What a gross misuse of technology! The kids need to learn basic math so symbolic algebra makes sense, so trigonometry makes sense, so calculus makes sense... etc.
Without a solid foundation, things later on will be much more difficult to learn.
I think the school in Oregon had this very thing in mind in limiting computer exposure, but they also need to remember that a lot of people who never received any exposure to computers until late in high school are also suffering in the job market.
You know, the death of television has been direly predicted each time one of these "TV enhancers" has debuted.
Betamax will kill TV
Cable service will kill (network) TV
Videogames will kill TV
VHS will kill TV
Rentals will kill TV (and movies)
Internet will kill TV (and movies and music and the American way blah blah blah)
Now PVR's will kill TV
OK. So why hasn't TV died yet? We've been TRYING to kill it, but it just won't die. Maybe we're not trying hard enough. Lord knows that if Network TV died, I certainly wouldn't miss it, and I doubt the rest of the world would miss it either.
Just let the model die and a newer more better model will emerge. Guaranteed.
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While I don't really agree with delaying computer usage until high school, I can certainly understand a backlash against techno-overkill.
Take calculators for example. I was exposed to calculators but was NEVER allowed to use them for homework until advanced math in high school - long after I had learned basic math. Now, I see my 3rd grace niece using a calculator given to her by the school for her homework and tests. When I ask her if they teach her the multiplication tables, she says "we just use the calculator".
What a gross misuse of technology! The kids need to learn basic math so symbolic algebra makes sense, so trigonometry makes sense, so calculus makes sense... etc.
Without a solid foundation, things later on will be much more difficult to learn.
I think the school in Oregon had this very thing in mind in limiting computer exposure, but they also need to remember that a lot of people who never received any exposure to computers until late in high school are also suffering in the job market.
You know, the death of television has been direly predicted each time one of these "TV enhancers" has debuted.
Betamax will kill TV
Cable service will kill (network) TV
Videogames will kill TV
VHS will kill TV
Rentals will kill TV (and movies)
Internet will kill TV (and movies and music and the American way blah blah blah)
Now PVR's will kill TV
OK. So why hasn't TV died yet? We've been TRYING to kill it, but it just won't die. Maybe we're not trying hard enough. Lord knows that if Network TV died, I certainly wouldn't miss it, and I doubt the rest of the world would miss it either.
Just let the model die and a newer more better model will emerge. Guaranteed.
*Cue Sesame Street Music* One of these things is not like the other...