eas@utcsrgv.UUCP (Ann Struthers) (12/05/84)
COLLOQUIM
Tuesday, December 11, 1984
11:00 A.M
Sandford Fleming Building 1105
Professor Joseph Weizenbaum
M.I.T.
"Are Computers Really Good For Children"
It is important to recognize that the question arises out of the anxiety of
parents for their children's future. This anxiety will have certain effects
on children which are to be made explicit and discussed. The reasons which
persuade parents to introduce their children to computers as early as
possible is built generally on the false ideas that, in future, the quality
of one's employment will be directly proportional to the degree on one's
"computer literacy". The idea that programming is good for the mind - as
was said about Latin in earlier time - is also cited in computer advertis-
ing. In particular, it is alleged that computer experience leads to
"problem solving" skills, essential for coping in the modern world.
It will be argued that these ideas are either false or, to the extent that
they contain truth, misleading. In the end, the title question cannot be
answered except in a concrete social context in which it is asked. In the
context in which we live, most children would be better served by a decent
and functional school system than by being force-fed computer instruction.
Refreshments will be served at 10:30 A.M. in SF3206