Something I wrote about last year in "Weapons of Mass Delusion", actually. Glad to see the matter getting some more attention --- the teachers I spoke with when writing the book were quite concerned about creating a generation of "users" instead of "thinkers" or "creators."
-rick Infowarrior.org A Caution on Kids, Technology By Valerie Strauss Washington Post Staff Writer Thursday, September 30, 2004; Page A02 Today's young people do not need the technology education they are receiving to be successful in the 21st century, and there are growing indications that the high-tech lifestyle promoted by government and business may be harmful to them, a new report scheduled for release today concludes. The report, titled "Tech Tonic" and issued by the nonprofit Alliance for Childhood, contends that there is scant evidence of long-term benefits from immersing preschool- and school-age children in electronic technologies. "Increasing numbers of them spend hours each day sitting in front of screens instead of playing outdoors, reading, and getting much-needed physical exercise and face-to-face social interaction -- all of which, it turns out, also provide essential stimulation to the growing mind and intellect," according to the study. The report makes a series of recommendations to parents, educators and policymakers, including declaring one day a week an electronic entertainment-free zone and shifting spending from unproven high-tech products in the classroom to children's unmet basic needs. The alliance, a partnership of educators, researchers, health professionals and other advocates for children based in College Park, issued a report in 2000 that called for a moratorium on further introduction of computers in early-childhood and elementary education. � 2004 The Washington Post Company -- You are a subscribed member of the infowarrior list. Visit www.infowarrior.org for list information or to unsubscribe. This message may be redistributed freely in its entirety. Any and all copyrights appearing in list messages are maintained by their respective owners.
