Their computer science curriculum starts in high school and they do damn well.
I didn't go to a Waldorf school but I never touched a computer until I was 14
and I do just fine thank you (outperforming even in my old age the vast majority
of software developers and or systems designers
born after computers were available to everyone in the US from birth).
How many surgeons started cutting up animals in 4th grade? Starting earlier is
not necessarily helpful for every kind of skill.
People have some very important things to learn prior to HS and moving HS
curriculum down into the lower grades displaces some of that important learning.
It has been absolutely proven beyond a doubt that people learn
faster and more deeply when taking methamphetamine.
I don't see anybody advocating for handing out the meth in schools.
Why not?
Because, along with the enhanced learning rate comes some rather
unpleasant side effects.
It's pretty much the same thing with computer use.
The next time you see your older relatives using their iPhones notice how
much time they spend ignoring people around them to stare at their
phone screen during social functions.
Scary.
I'm singling out the older folks here because presumably they
should know better but still they can't resist......
I somehow doubt you have any experimental evidence for this.
From what I have seen, computers do a reasonable job of "training" which
is not "education".
Spending even more time with screens rather than people can only be
harmful to the development of critically important social skills. If you just
read many of the posts in this thread, I think you may get an idea of
just how much our school system has been failing as of late at
developing social skills.
Slashdot Mirror
People are the ultimate invasive species. Even Antarctica can't get rid of em.
A text analysis shows the article consists of over 90% fallacy. Check out this color-coded annotation complete with in-context links to definitions of the fallacies employed: http://rationalrants.wordpress.com/2012/01/31/wall-street-journal-sinks-to-a-new-low/
Sigh...
The 'small group' are not politicians.
They are wealthy businessmen.
See late 19th century US history.
Where's the damn 'Like' button?
I didn't go to a Waldorf school but I never touched a computer until I was 14 and I do just fine thank you (outperforming even in my old age the vast majority of software developers and or systems designers born after computers were available to everyone in the US from birth).
How many surgeons started cutting up animals in 4th grade? Starting earlier is not necessarily helpful for every kind of skill.
People have some very important things to learn prior to HS and moving HS curriculum down into the lower grades displaces some of that important learning.
I don't see anybody advocating for handing out the meth in schools.
Why not?
Because, along with the enhanced learning rate comes some rather unpleasant side effects.
It's pretty much the same thing with computer use.
The next time you see your older relatives using their iPhones notice how much time they spend ignoring people around them to stare at their phone screen during social functions.
Scary.
I'm singling out the older folks here because presumably they should know better but still they can't resist......
I somehow doubt you have any experimental evidence for this. From what I have seen, computers do a reasonable job of "training" which is not "education". Spending even more time with screens rather than people can only be harmful to the development of critically important social skills. If you just read many of the posts in this thread, I think you may get an idea of just how much our school system has been failing as of late at developing social skills.