Perhaps taking some time to teach kids how to manipulate a mouse, point to an icon and double click will help them in the job world.  But only if they can read.

But that should be left to teaching in high school.

It makes no sense to me to teach 3rd or 5th, or even 8th  graders Windows so they can get jobs when they get out of high school.

If students can read and have good comprehension, can write and do math they will always be able to pick up real skills.
If Windows is still in fashion when they appraoch graduation, they can take a 2 week course before they graduate.

Where I live in BSEPA we have a farmers market where most of the vendors are Amish.  You can go to one of thier booths and the Amish kids can add up your order, add in any tax, calculate your change and count back the correct amount to you, without even using a pencil.  And these kids probably don't even care to know what Windows is.

  You go to another booth where the public school kids work and they can't do the math even with a calculator or count the change when the register displays the amount for them.

  The public schools are totally pathetic and it has nothing at all do with not having computers.


>
>From: Dave Darnell <[log in to unmask]>
>Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 09:33:51 -0600
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: [HP3000-L] OT - How to start a war in one easy posting
>
>Why does a kid need to use a computer to learn to read, write, and do basic
>math?
>
>Though I don't have current experience in the educational realm, I had
>assumed that because computer skills are now considered so important, we
>were using computers to teach them about computers.  It makes sense to me,
>then, that we would want them to learn to use the most commonly encountered
>tools (WinTel), regardless of the fact that the lesser-used tools (Mac)
>might be better tools.
>
>Compare a resume with only MacIntosh experience to a resume with only WinTel
>experience.
>
>-dtd
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Jim Mc Coy [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>> Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2000 9:14 AM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: OT - How to start a war in one easy posting
>>
>>
>> <<< I think they need to figure out how to reduce the amount
>> of training and computer savvy that teachers and students
>> must have. >>>
>>
>> This is the big question:  Why does a kid need to know
>> Windows in order to learn to read, write and do basic math?
>> Will they really be able to learn state capitals better if
>> they read them on a geography web site instead of in a geogrpahy book?
>>
>> We are spending a lot of money on bad idea, with no clear
>> benefit to anyone except those selling services to the schools.
>>
>> Jim Mc Coy
>>
>>
>>
>> >
>> >From: Glenn Koster <[log in to unmask]>
>> >Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 10:04:34 -0500
>> >To: [log in to unmask]
>> >Subject: Re: [HP3000-L] OT - How to start a war in one easy posting
>> >
>> >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.
>> >
>> >
>>
>
>