-> Dear Sheila,
-> Are you implying that computer education in schools should focus on
-> teaching students the basics of programming in order to expand their
-> job opportunities?
No, I am not implying that.
School is not a job training vo-tech institution. It is much more than
that.
I was merely trying to share some information about how prevalent
programming jobs have become, since it added to a discussion about
teaching programming that had been going on here for some time. (Some
persons here had doubted that there was much need for programmers in
todays and tomorrow's work force.)
-> I would be interested in hearing your views on the content of
-> computer education for schools.  When should we
-> introduce formal computer lessons in the curriculum?
I really don't have an opinion on this. I teach secondary mathematics
and have never, in 13 years of teaching, had access to a computer in my
classroom, or access to a computer lab that I could take my students to.
We do have several computers at home, however. And my two elementary
aged children are pretty competent at using applications on the
computer.
This coming school year (starts next week) I will be teaching formal
programming to high school students.
Your use of the phrase "formal computer lessons" is very vague. I do not
know if you mean to use the computer as a tool to teach other subjects,
such as math or social studies, or if you mean to teach use of the
computer itself.
IMO, use of the computer as a tool to teach other subject areas is the
way to go with younger children, assuming the school has the hardware
available.
Sheila
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