Are computers stifling fundamental education?

A friend of mine who is a retired school teacher asked me why it is that we cannot turn out students who can read and write with sufficient proficiency. It is his contention that students today cannot read and write as well as the previous generation.

I do not know if this is true, but my limited exposure to young people suggests to me that proficiency in language and grammar is taking a back seat to technical skills. Today's children are taught how to click a mouse on the computer before they even know how to spell.

Ever since Sputnik in 1957, our country has raced pell mell ahead in a technological race with first the Soviets, and now with the rest of the world. Left in the wake is literature and art. This is unfortunate because languages, literature and art are necessary components of a well-rounded education.

It is my opinion that students should not be exposed to computers until they have a well grounded education in the fundamentals. This means being able to read and write. It seems to me that allowing children to browse the computer before they are grounded in the fundamentals relegates the computer to more of an entertainment center than a learning center. I am not the only who feels this way. Many social scientists have similar opinions. The instant response from the click of a mouse goes hand-in-hand with our demand for instant gratification. Does not this type of daily activity on the computer reinforce the child's need to have other aspects of their life gratified instantly? Hard, slow learning develops the synapses much better than the quick and easy.

Obviously, children will still be able to use computers at home. However, the use of computers in the school should not be allowed to take away valuable time needed to train young students in the basics. Quite frankly, I feel that the use of computers by youngsters should be restricted at home as well. Everyone knows there is bad stuff that can be viewed or downloaded from the internet. Also, so much information on the internet is simply propaganda or false which can mislead young minds.

Parents need to resist the tendency to use the computer as a babysitter for their children. It is much better for young children to be physically active rather than glued to a computer where the only exercise they get is in the fingers.

By waiting until the fifth grade for the introduction of computers in the classroom, our students will be better prepared to use the computer. At this stage, hopefully the computer will be used as a tool for research or for writing rather than a fun thing to use. Limiting the use of computers will also save the district some money, which is not a bad idea given our current financial status.

Anyone who is now over 30 years of age, probably never used a computer until they got a job or went to college. Those who are inclined to be computer oriented pick up the skills very easily. I do not feel that the earlier you start with a computer the better you become. Typing is one of the best skills I learned while in school, however, I didn't take typing classses until I was a sophomore.

I have worked with computers for 39 years but never saw a computer until I was 24 years old. I did not have a technical background in college. I was in the school of Liberal Arts and Science. One of the best courses I took in college was Logic. Learning how to think analytically and logically enabled me to become a better computer programmer than any math course ever did. I believe that fundamental courses like Logic should be taught in our high schools as well.