RM> I suspect that there are two camps that are pushing for
RM> computers: The first are those who see computers as an
RM> essential part of our future lives, and who feel that
RM> children MUST be comfortable and knowledgeable about them.
RM> The second are those who see computers as a way of adding
RM> "interest" to classrooms.
AA>I would suggest a third group--those who honestly believe that the
AA>computer either will or can revolutionize how educations are delivered
AA>to students at all age levels.
I'll buy that... I think this may be the smallest of the
three though...
AA>I tend at times to agree somewhat with those who see the computer 
AA>as providing a way through the morass of confusion that all this 
AA>poses to educators.  That springs from my desired optimism that 
AA>there are answers to present dilemmas.
I hope you're right....
RM> And not all kids LIKE computers!
AA>I have never been an advocate that the "fun" in learning comes from
AA>"liking" something.  The fun comes from making it possible to achieve a
AA>mastery over the subject matter being taught, and sometimes that
AA>involves routine repetition, practice, hard work, failure, and
AA>perseverance--all of which produce and are eventually a measure of
AA>character.
I agree, but I'm not so sure that our views are particularly
in vogue these days (or that many kids would agree)!   ;-)
RM> As with you, I have some doubts about where we're going with
RM> this.....
AA>Doubt can be a good thing when it goads us into thinking seriously 
AA>and productively.  Perhaps a better work is skepticism.
Heh... It's hard to be SKEPTICAL about where we're going
when no one seems to know where that may be!  As with so
many things in education these days, we seem to be walking 
down a road to some unknown destination, for an unknown
reason, to achieve unknown goals!     ;-)
___
 * MR/2 2.26 * For a good time, call 1-800-3IBMOS2
--- Silver Xpress Mail System 5.4P1a
---------------