Dave Darnell muses...


> Can it not be said that a large part of the appeal of the Apple line was
> (is) that you don't have to learn much about computers to use one?  That
> would imply that it is not the best tool to teach computing skills, then?

In my opinion, that is just what makes it ideal for instructional purposes.
I can see the argument for business courses using Windows (and/or Linux) to
teach students the skills that they will need out "in the real world".
However, I have a problem when in comes to teaching kids computing skills
just so they can use the computer to learn.

< really, really off-topic >
We have a major discussion going on in a major Kansas district right now.
The Hutchinson, Kansas, school board has decided to float a $47M (yes,
MILLION) proposal to the community for technology to primarily be used in
junior high and high school.  A small percentage of that money will be used
for instructional technology for the elementary.  Fortunately, I don't live
in the Hutchinson district so I don't have to wrestle with a decision on it,
but I get their paper so I have read both sides of the issue.  What bothers
me about the whole proposal are the following...

* $6.1M (that roughly 15%) will be allocated for staff training - so they
can figure out how to best use the new technology.   They don't have a clue
yet as to the best way to use the equipment that is being proposed.  Talk
about government on the wrong end of the stick...

* The majority of the money (> $30M) will be used for "always-on"
technology.  In essence, a student will be issued a laptop that will have a
wireless connection to the district network (and the internet) 100% of the
time that they are in district buildings.  A smaller school district much
closer to home is already using this technology this year - and the biggest
problem they are having with it is maintaining student attention in the
classroom during those parts that are geared toward lecture / class
discussions.  They implemented it with no way to prevent use at
inappropriate times.  I think before a school district commits to this kind
of money, they should have all of the potential ills & abuses outlined - and
resolved.

< /really, really off-topic >

Anyway, I think Apple originally had it right.  For other platform
(including Windows) to have a significant impact on affecting true learning
via technology, I think they need to figure out how to reduce the amount of
training and computer savvy that teachers and students must have.

Glenn J. Koster, Sr.
Quintessential School Systems
Developers of QWEBS (qwebs.qss.com)
QWEBS - The Next Generation : Coming soon to an HP e3000 near you!
========================================
The opinions expressed are solely my opinions and as such are not to be
construed as supported by or made on behalf of QSS, its management, or its
customer base.