NR> I am a student from Sydney University interested in personal
NR> opinions of individuals around the world about dependency on
NR> the computer.
   Well, as far as computers in education, it does seem that many have taken 
the technology overboard.  I liken this to the same way a calculator can be 
used as a tool in education or it can be used as a substitute for good basic 
fundamentals.
   I volunteered as a computer tech person for my local K-8 school, 
purchasing computers, installing software and hardware, doing maintenance and 
hardware repair.  It's sad, but there they've gotten the idea that computers 
are wonderful and that anything the school does with them is great.  T'ain't 
so.
   In many cases, the computers wind up being used as in-school Nintendos.  I 
was shocked one day to see a kid playing the popular Oregon Trail game, and 
he had played it enough so that he was on the high score list.  He turned to 
me and asked "What is Oregon?"  I was dumbfounded.
   Kids who cannot spell are routinely given a computer complete with word 
processor and spell checker.  Sure, it enables the student to turn in a 
nicely spelled, pretty looking report, but it doesn't help the kid learn to 
spell.
   I see the same type of thing happening with internet usage.  Far too many 
schools are ignorant of -- or are just ignoring -- the drawbacks/dangers of 
internet usage as they plunge ahead full steam believing that if anything to 
do with computers is good, anything with the internet is great.  When I did 
my student teaching, I got many reports from students who used internet 
access and online encyclopedias to put great graphics into their reports 
(this was a high school social studies class).  The kids know how to use a 
word processor and they know that good looks impress -- and this was 
reflected in the reports I received.  Of course, writing in complete 
sentences and writing to make one paragraph contain a coherent thought is 
entirely a different matter.
   I don't see the situation getting better, unfortunately.  As corporate 
America turns the internet from a forum for computer techies and university 
researchers into yet another "infomercial," the quality goes down and the 
hype gets louder and louder.  I keep wondering when this fad of "computers 
are great" is going to wear off and people -- especially educators -- are 
going to realize that a computer is simply a tool, and like all tools they 
can be used wisely or unwisely.
Regards,
 .
 Randy
 (FidoNet 1:325/805.0)
 (redwards@together.net)
... In a world without fences, who needs [Bill] Gates?!
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