pab@lucid.com (Peter Benson) (12/05/90)
The best idea is to work using computers into any classes where they might be relevant. For any classes where a lot of writing is required a lab full of computers with word processors should be available. There should be only a few class sessions devoted to using the word processors. It doesn't take very much time to figure out the features of a word processor needed to compose a paper. I took typing in 9th grade and it was mostly a waste. I could have done just as well by spending a few hours with a book, a typewriter and project that needed to be typed. Computers are common tools in todays society, and kids should be exposed to them at all levels as tools. I agree that problem solving is an important skill that ought to be stressed more in schools. I don't know that a beginning programming class is necessarily the best way to address that need. If the primary thrust is problem solving and the programming secondary then it can work with a good teacher (and I'm sure you are very good). I can see why the English teacher would want to have a word processing class. A nicely typeset paper is much easier to read and grade than my chicken scratch handwriting. The computer classes (programming, word processing) ought to be treated like service classes; electives for credit in the subject where the skills are most applicable. -ptr- pab@lucid.com