Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!lll-winken!lll-lcc!ames!ll-xn!mit-eddie!killer!elg
From: elg@killer.UUCP (Eric Green)
Newsgroups: comp.edu
Subject: Re: Computer Education Programs for Elementary Teachers
Message-ID: <3537@killer.UUCP>
Date: 29 Feb 88 05:55:00 GMT
References: <8472@g.ms.uky.edu>
Organization: Bayou Telecommunications
Lines: 43

in article <8472@g.ms.uky.edu>, mtbb34@ms.uky.edu (Becky McEllistrem) says:
> Hi, I'm a new poster (well I think I got one article on here) and have a 
> "slight" problem...  
> 
> I'm an education major interested in teaching (for the moment but not later)
> grades K-4.  I have also developed (over last year) an interest in computers.
> What I would really like to do is teach computers on the elementary level

The question is, "What do you mean?"

Do you mean, "teach elementary school kids about computers"?

If so, then most of the so-called "experts" don't see any advantages to
teaching elementary school students about computers. It's a niche skill that
nobody will ever use, they say. I can see some advantages... certainly would
give them a workout in their logical and organization skills.... but the
teaching profession is very ambivalent about the whole thing.

On the other hand, if what you really meant was, "teach elementary school
kids, using computers as a tool", then I suggest you go to the Education
Digest and look in the section entitled "Computers and Education". There is a
wealth of reference material available. Most of it is duplicative (do these
people plagiarize each other, or do they just not research the field before
they submit their article?), but you can find some occasion jewels. There is a
journal about computers and education (Computer Education? Computers &
Education? the name eludes me) that often has very interesting articles about
the uses of computers in education. For example, word processors are a boon
for kids whose fingers are barely capable of handling those chubby pencils,
even using the hunt-and-peck method. 
   From what I've read, the teachers who submit articles to that are pretty
much the pioneers. The cutting edge, so to speak, in a highly experimental
field. I don't know if you can find actual established courses in elementary
computer education, considering how few school districts consider it a valid
use of their limited funds, and how little research has really be done in what
is a very new field. If you are currently an elementary school teacher, you
may be best advised to go to your local university library, and research it
yourself.  

--
Eric Lee Green  elg@usl.CSNET     Snail Mail P.O. Box 92191      
{cbosgd,ihnp4}!killer!elg         Lafayette, LA 70509            

Come on, girl, I ain't looking for no fight/You ain't no beauty, but hey
you're alright/And I just need someone to love/tonight