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Talkback:
"The Technology Stampede"
I only wonder whether or not the kind of machine envisaged here would accomodate the degree of versatility that might be necessary to support the myriad applications that would help with the expanding diversity of school curriculums. Would a simple machine of this sort be able to support multi-media, which clearly has significant learning advantages?
Other than this concern, I completely agree with the point of this article. With limited resources and a continually increasing technology curve, schools can not hope to finance or adapt curriculums quickly enough to use the technology in any effective.
Finally, I'm not sure that what kids need to learn today has very much to do with technology--except that it would be healthy for them to learn something about flip side of the coin. Not to go on a Unabomber rant, but you don't have to look far to find the negative ramifications of almost every technology we've developed. What are we teaching kids about how to evaluate this aspect of our choices to use or not use various technologies, or about appropriate use? I'm not sure this requires a computer to teach at all.
--Michael K.
The author replies:
I agree with Michael K. that elementary students don't NEED computers and thatin some cases computers can be counter-productive. I was arguing that at their best, students should be using computers to write reports. For student-generatedwork, the latest technology is not needed. Fancy multi-media presentations haven'tproven to be of much--if any--educational value. Students have to do to learn.
Some manufacturers are trying to address just this point. Check out the Apple eMate which is designed as cheap(ish), tough and usable machine for school children.
We are developing software for this machine for use in the Scottish and UK market and have had nothing but good reaction to this machine. Even some of my business buddies want to have one just as a writing machine to carry with them. Their thought is that you don't need a 200Mhz MMX pentium II to write a report of a meeting you have just attended.
--Kennedy Fraser, SCET - Scottish Council for Educational Technology
k.fraser@scet.org.uk