[OFFTOPIC] Re: One Laptop Per Child
On Monday 12 November 2007 19:06:28 Chuck Robey wrote: I wish it wasn't this way. Maybe it's just in the schools I visited? If so, anyone have a better experience? Until I hear of some, I won't contribute to any computers for kids deal, because it only benefits big computer companies, who sell the machines, not the kids. It is true that the companies that sell computers and software benefit, but the same could be said of companies that sell state-approved textbooks to schools (if you have seen those textbooks you know what I mean), the companies that sell shoes for sports, etc. There is one large software company that gives some software to schools and then gets a tax cut even though it benefits down the line when those kids grow up to buy that company's software because that is the software they know. I still think it is better for kids to know how to use computers, even if a few business people also benefit. ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [OFFTOPIC] Re: One Laptop Per Child
On Mon, Nov 12, 2007, Pollywog wrote: On Monday 12 November 2007 19:06:28 Chuck Robey wrote: I wish it wasn't this way. Maybe it's just in the schools I visited? If so, anyone have a better experience? Until I hear of some, I won't contribute to any computers for kids deal, because it only benefits big computer companies, who sell the machines, not the kids. It is true that the companies that sell computers and software benefit, but the same could be said of companies that sell state-approved textbooks to schools (if you have seen those textbooks you know what I mean), the companies that sell shoes for sports, etc. There is one large software company that gives some software to schools and then gets a tax cut even though it benefits down the line when those kids grow up to buy that company's software because that is the software they know. The biggest problem I see with computers in classrooms is that they distract the student's attention from the teacher. I know that I have to back away from my computer completely when talking on the phone, unless I'm doing direct support at the time, because I find myself distracted from the conversation. I'll leave it at that as I don't want to take this in the direction of government schools as indoctrination centers. Bill -- INTERNET: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Bill Campbell; Celestial Software LLC URL: http://www.celestial.com/ PO Box 820; 6641 E. Mercer Way FAX:(206) 232-9186 Mercer Island, WA 98040-0820; (206) 236-1676 We shouldn't elect a President; we should elect a magician. Will Rogers ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [OFFTOPIC] Re: One Laptop Per Child
Pollywog wrote: On Monday 12 November 2007 19:06:28 Chuck Robey wrote: I wish it wasn't this way. Maybe it's just in the schools I visited? If so, anyone have a better experience? Until I hear of some, I won't contribute to any computers for kids deal, because it only benefits big computer companies, who sell the machines, not the kids. It is true that the companies that sell computers and software benefit, but the same could be said of companies that sell state-approved textbooks to schools (if you have seen those textbooks you know what I mean), the companies that sell shoes for sports, etc. There is one large software company that gives some software to schools and then gets a tax cut even though it benefits down the line when those kids grow up to buy that company's software because that is the software they know. Yeah, but in this case, I know more: a lady friend of mine was an editor for a large educational publishing house. Those places (and more specifically the folks that work in them) are rather embarrassed at having to put all that garbage into state textbooks, but the state boards of education require it. They don't want to do it, but they have to, to be able to sell their product. The local state officials are at fault here, not the companies nor those who work for them. I used to listen by the hour to complaints about the stupidity and cupidity of those state officials, from that lady. I still think it is better for kids to know how to use computers, even if a few business people also benefit. Hmm. Several of the classes I walked into were disappointing to me, where the kids were made to feel good at being able to play computer games well. If you think that's good for kids, it's your money, I suppose. The teachers were given no training whatever in computers, so they had no ability to do better. I would not contribute to such an item. A program that produces better educational software, that I could see, but not giving computers to schools, that is very counter-productive. Let them eat Doom! I think we should move this to FreeBSD-chat. ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
