Quotes are taken from a message written by Sheila to Bob on 06/30/96...
SK>Programming is an excellent idea, IMHO. Problem solving. Using the
SK>computer as a TOOL not the end in itself. And I can point you to LOTS of
SK>references on the Web that will give you excellent justifications for
SK>teaching programming to 6th graders and YOUNGER. Also, there is a free
SK>version of Logo put out by UC Berkley (I just downloaded it yesterday).
SK>It will even run on old DOS machines in only 640K, although this does
SK>sacrifice some of the performance.
I don't often disagree with you on matters educational, but on this one 
I'm of a different mind.  Who needs to write programs today, especially 
in BASIC or LOGO?  I've done both, felt both were a waste of time for 
6th graders when there are so many more useful things to learn - word 
processing, publishing, database & spreadsheet, typing, telecom and 
Internet, etc.
Perhaps for students with a particular interest in computers, such as 
those in a computer club or special activity group, teaching programming 
would be beneficial.  However, based on my own experience, most of the 
5th and 6th grade kids really didn't care for programming.
Chuck Beams
Fidonet - 1:2608/70
cbeams@future.dreamscape.com
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* UniQWK #5290* And God said: E = 2mv2 - Ze2/r, and there was light!
--- Maximus 2.01wb
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