Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!turpin From: turpin@cs.utexas.edu (Russell Turpin) Newsgroups: comp.edu Subject: Re: Against educational fads (was: math credit) Summary: I believe in airconditioners! Message-ID: <15541@cs.utexas.edu> Date: 7 Dec 90 02:36:41 GMT References: <15404@cs.utexas.edu> <15425@cs.utexas.edu> <15488@cs.utexas.edu> <39937@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU> Organization: U. Texas CS Dept., Austin, Texas Lines: 23 ----- In article <39937@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU> thom@dewey.soe.berkeley.edu.UUCP (Thom Gillespie) writes: > The earlier you introduce the correct tool , the better. For writing > the tool is the word processor. Kindergarten is early enough for > most kids. I don't disagree. > Just 'another' point of view Russ, not yours obviously. Get > airconditioned! As I said before, I believe in airconditioning. I also believe in word processing. Unlike Publius, I also believe (some) in AI. Having students use word processors will no more teach them to write than having them use pencils. They are an improvement, just as pencils and erasers are an improvement over quill, knife, and blotter. If word processors make the teaching of writing easier and faster, that is great. But people still have to put their own ideas together, and figure out how to best express these ideas in words. And students have to be taught to do this. Don't confuse the tool with the skill. Russell Brought to you by Super Global Mega Corp .com