Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!think.com!linus!agate!shelby!neon!lucid.com!challenger!pab From: pab@lucid.com (Peter Benson) Newsgroups: comp.edu Subject: Re: programming for math credit - rationale Message-ID: Date: 4 Dec 90 18:41:14 GMT References: <15404@cs.utexas.edu> Sender: pab@lucid.com Organization: Lucid, Inc., Menlo Park, CA Lines: 28 In-reply-to: freewill@nstar.UUCP's message of 4 Dec 90 09:48:23 GMT 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 Brought to you by Super Global Mega Corp .com