Jakob Nielsen has said similar things about web design. He wrote an article about how many web conventions aren't inherently good design, but because they are accepted conventions changing them to something with a better design risks alienating some of your audience.
Looking at the article it IS talking about young kids. Namely, those in grades K-5, possibly up to grade 7, not those in high school.
Personally, I can admit I don't know enough to say whether or not its a good or bad thing to sit kids in front of computers in their classes. But I wouldn't say they're NECESSARY at that age. At least, not if you have to provide them by cutting other essentials. At that age, its more the interest in learning that you want to cultivate anyway. I would say that some exposure is good (get the interest) but not so much that you start to develop dependence on spell checkers and the like.
As for high school, by all means, boot up. Its then that real, usable computers could make a real difference. Wish I had had 'em then.
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Jakob Nielsen has said similar things about web design. He wrote an article about how many web conventions aren't inherently good design, but because they are accepted conventions changing them to something with a better design risks alienating some of your audience.
Looking at the article it IS talking about young kids. Namely, those in grades K-5, possibly up to grade 7, not those in high school.
Personally, I can admit I don't know enough to say whether or not its a good or bad thing to sit kids in front of computers in their classes. But I wouldn't say they're NECESSARY at that age. At least, not if you have to provide them by cutting other essentials. At that age, its more the interest in learning that you want to cultivate anyway. I would say that some exposure is good (get the interest) but not so much that you start to develop dependence on spell checkers and the like.
As for high school, by all means, boot up. Its then that real, usable computers could make a real difference. Wish I had had 'em then.