Brian Tombs

10/4/03

Journal Critique

Mendals, Pamela. (1999), Push for computers in Classrooms Gathers New Foes. New York Times. Retrieved from the World Wide Web: http:// www.nytimes.com/library/tech/99/12/cyber/education/15education.html

This article contains views about how computers should play a part in our young people’s education. A group is challenging the idea of using computer technology in education in elementary schools. They feel schools should be raising responsible caring citizens, and that this technology makes children feel overwhelmed. This particular group thinks elementary students should be involved with people more than machines.

Although there may be those opposed to using technology, one man in particular feels technology excites students at a young age. His name is Keith Kruger, executive director of the Consortium for School Networking. Kids love games and creative graphics. There is an enthusiasm there that needs to be linked to the education part of their lives. He says that computers are not there to replace teachers, but to enhance learning in early grades through things like collaborative projects. This way, children can make sure they are keeping up with the fast changing world of technology.

I feel that there is truth to both sides of the spectrum. I feel we do emphasize to much in the technology area at young ages. There is more to life and building character than using a computer and keeping up on the changing times. Kids need caring and nurturing. To many times we are to worried about political issues and how we think things are going to be ten years from now, instead of teaching kids the best way we know how. That best way is to teach them things we know. Use what is available to us. Teachers have a lot to offer to our children and we need to appreciate that and use it. Yes computers are essential to our daily lives, but let kids be kids. There is plenty of time to teach computer skills to them later in life and they will take it to heart a little more when they understand what computers are really used for. When students get to upper middle school and high school, that is when we should be putting more emphasis on teacher those essential skills they will need in the real world.