"Kathy E. Gill" wrote:
>
> Both Suz and Brent have brought up the issue of computers in schools, ie,
> the lack of them.
>
> At 8:20 PM -0400 10/15/98, Brent Eades wrote:
> >rather Luddite-like ignorance on the part of school board brass. I'd rather
> >see a single teaching position cut and 40 computers bought with the
> >money saved, myself.
>
You are touching a sore spot with me!! My wife is a teacher in a local
middle school (junior high). As Kathy and Suz indicate, it is more than
just throwing computers into a classroom and expecting a magical
transformation and instant learning. Fact is that most teachers are
ill-equiped to deal with the 30+ students in the class now. Many
students come to school ill-equiped to learn as success in education is
not reinforced in many homes. Compare the parent attendance at a Little
League (or any other sport) games as opposed to parent attendance at
school functions and parent involvement in school affairs. IMHO, there
is a direct correlation in parent involvement in school and the students
willlingness to learn.
> well, not sure you could bring in *40* machines for the salary savings --
> unless teachers make a WHOLE lot more $ in canada than they do here.
>
> but -- in addition to the hardware issue -- there is the issue that suz
> brought up RE can the teachers use the bloody things?
>
This is a critical issue. Look at what the most popular software
titles are; Doom, Duke Nukem, etc. Javlik's keyword list consistantly
has sex near the top. Where is the connection between these and using
computers in the classroom?? What do you use a computer for to teach
when some students have no knowledge of keyboards and others can
assemble computers from pieces?? At one teacher to 30+ students, it is
difficult to keep advanced students interested while catering to the
ones that would rather be on the ball field becasue their parents want
them to excell in sports.
> how can they [the computers] be used effectively? that is more than typing
> up reports or learning to do spreadsheets.
>
>
<<SNIP>>
--
John Stewart
SUPSHIP San Diego
Information Systems Security Mgr
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