Re: [Phys-L] computer programming for kids

[Ken Caviness <caviness@southern.edu>]

I have no personal experience with student use of iPads, but one of my students just returned from a "TaskForce" (volunteer) year teaching high school, and reports endless problems with her students' using iPads in her classes:  probably some of it was connectivity issues, some inadequate/incorrect filtering of websites, but often her students couldn't open their books, she ended up printing chapters for at least some students frequently.  Assigned student research projects (read websearches) were frustrating - on the first page of hits most sites blocked, so students wasted much time and became frustrated.

Without knowing all the ins and outs of the situation, I can still draw the moral:  the school administration shouldn't just hand the iPads to the students.  Technology without support is often no help at all.

KC

-----Original Message-----
From: Phys-l [mailto:phys-l-bounces@phys-l.org] On Behalf Of Marty Weiss
Sent: Wednesday, 26 June 2013 4:38 PM
To: Phys-L@Phys-L.org
Subject: Re: [Phys-L] computer programming for kids

Apple is supplying iPads to every student in the Los Angeles public schools next year.  In the Philadelphia area several of the private schools gave iPads to their students.  In Maine all students were given laptops many years ago.  I'm not sure if that project is ongoing at present.   
Regarding tech skills needed by elementary and secondary students... whatever is taught must be taught equally among inner city and suburban districts.  Equipment and materials must be distributed equally or grants must be alloted equally and oversight must be strictly enforced so waste and theft is kept to a minimum.   I think it is in the best interest of companies like Comcast or Verizon to make sure all schools are wired or equipped with WiFi routers so the iPads or laptops are used efficiently.   The days of the blackboard or even the whiteboards are numbered.  But the only way society will not split further into haves and have-nots is to enable all students equal opportunity.  
  
On Jun 26, 2013, at 2:33 PM, Larry Smith wrote:

> This is not exclusively a physics question, but it is related.
>
> Should every kid learn how to program computers in public schools?
> In what grade(s)?
> Using what language(s)?
>
> What other technology skills should kids learn in public schools?
>
>
>
> I'm going to a state task force meeting this week to discuss these questions.  Thought I'd poll this audience first.
>
> Thanks,
> Larry
>
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