Thread: The loss of basic skills in school

Originally Posted by pmburk

I graduated from an online college that used e-textbooks. They were in PDF format and I was able to use my Dell WinXP laptop and/or my Dell desktop. Can a student today still use a laptop or desktop instead of having to purchase an iPad? My point here is, if you have a laptop with Adobe Reader, why go out and purchase an iPad?

Well you're not going to lug a desktop to class, are you?

For an all-purpose device a laptop is great, but tablets are light, quick and convenient.

Originally Posted by commiecat

Well you're not going to lug a desktop to class, are you?

For an all-purpose device a laptop is great, but tablets are light, quick and convenient.

I didn't have to, I earned my degree from home online.

Originally Posted by pmburk

I didn't have to, I earned my degree from home online.

Well I was talking about students in a general term, not you specifically.

My point here is, if you have a laptop with Adobe Reader, why go out and purchase an iPad?

I can see lots of reasons for a student to buy and use a tablet in lieu of their laptop: they're quicker to start up, lighter, smaller, more quiet when typing, etc. That isn't to say that everyone should do so, but I got the impression that you're questioning why anybody would choose one over a desktop or laptop.

Originally Posted by commiecat

Well I was talking about students in a general term, not you specifically.



I can see lots of reasons for a student to buy and use a tablet in lieu of their laptop: they're quicker to start up, lighter, smaller, more quiet when typing, etc. That isn't to say that everyone should do so, but I got the impression that you're questioning why anybody would choose one over a desktop or laptop.

It would have to depend on the situation. In my case, there was no need for me to get a tablet if they were available at that time I was enrolled in my online college. But going to a campus for class, a tablet would work based on your explanation.

Here's an idea: if everything is going electronic, how are kids supposed to develop good writing skills?

Originally Posted by ghostonthehorizon

I just finished reading yet another article about a school getting iPads for its students to be able to do homework at night and get more information. It struck me that as time goes on articles like these become more and more prevalent. From the article about a kindergarten class starting off on the iPad, to high schools doing away with school books in favor of laptops. Just last school year out here, Indianapolis Public Schools are either in the process or have done away with learning cursive due to it not being used later on in life.

I consider myself young, only being 25, but all these articles are starting to bother me. It seems that books and basic skills will continue to be taken from school until students are so dependent on electronics they won't be able to function without them.

Am I the only one?

Kids have to learn different things in order to compete in today's world. The things they need to handle are dependent on electronics.

My cursive was shot to blazes in college because I had to write so fast during lectures. At work I didn't use it enough to stay in practice.

It does seem to be somewhat dehumanizing, but things have changed.

Originally Posted by Bruno

Here's an idea: if everything is going electronic, how are kids supposed to develop good writing skills?

Do you mean penmanship, or writing style and grammar?

You know what I really think? I think these poor kids are just the dumb pawns of cynical marketing ploys by organisations like Apple. Like a drug dealer giving a free hit to create an addict. Apple doesn't really care if students get better educational outcomes - it cares about market share and shareholder returns, like all good listed companies should. If you think otherwise, I have a bridge I'd like to sell you.

James.

Originally Posted by Bruno

Here's an idea: if everything is going electronic, how are kids supposed to develop good writing skills?

I think when the time comes they just won't.
I'm sure at one point people were worried how kids are going to develop good hunting skills, but the lack of those doesn't seem to bother most people anymore.

More recently there was concern about kids learning basic arithmetic. Electronic calculators have been available for many decades now, but still kids are taught how to do long division because it's important not as a skill, but as a developmental tool. Probably the same thing with basic writing, but as far as I can tell calligraphy has been obsolete for decades already with no dramatically ill effect.

Originally Posted by Jimbo

If you think otherwise, I have a bridge I'd like to sell you.

I don't, so the question is, do you have a macbookpro to give me?