Children without computers

**the_icks** · 28-12-10, 07:31 AM

from the BBC

BBC News - A million UK children 'lack access to computers'

Children without computers or the internet at home are DISADVANTAGED??

It is claimed that low income houses do not have computers or access to the internet...... is this a disadvantage, the report makes it almost sound like neglect!!

For those of us of a certain vintage, do you feel that you would have had a better standard of education today??

Personally, I hand wrote all my work, used a dictionary to check spellings, used encyclopedias/THE LIBRARY for research...... and I have a very high standard of education.

For the students on here, fo you feel that computers give you an advantage?? I showed my wifes 15 yr old cousin a LOG TABLE and his head almost exploded!!!

Surely there is enough computer time at school these days without the need for isolation in the home.... my kids have restricted pc time and enjoy board games and reading, i could not be a parent who just lets them sit on it for hours on end....

williamblah · 28-12-10, 08:17 AM

Having unlimited information at the tips of your fingertips accessible within seconds is a huge advantage, in my opinion. I feel I keep a good mix of handwritten and typed-up notes, and the advantages in terms of error-checking, duplication, communicating, collaborating are massive. While I am active on the internet for a good few hours a day, about a quarter of that is from my phone when I'm on the go, and one of my biggest passions is hiking and camping - if I didn't leave the house for a day I'd feel so strange!

Cruelworld · 28-12-10, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by williamblah

advantages in terms of error-checking

Just means that you don't need to learn to spell, the computer will do it for you.

-null- · 28-12-10, 09:44 AM

I think it's good for kids/teenagers having access to the internet. They learn how to find information which is imho more important than knowing it.

Also it means they can find out about personal things they may not want to talk to anyone about.

Ilikefree · 28-12-10, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_icks

For the students on here, fo you feel that computers give you an advantage??

Yes, to an extent. I think its good to learn say the basics what you will need in future jobs (eg. Excel), then if you want to learn more you can do so for A Level etc...

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_icks

Surely there is enough computer time at school these days without the need for isolation in the home....

I've not done IT at school since Year 7 (I'm now in Year 10), as our headmistress believes that IT is 'definitely not the future and will die out in the next decade'

beezer123 · 28-12-10, 11:05 AM

When I was younger I spent most of my time reading Dorling Kindersley reference books. I never had a PC until I was about 2nd year at Academy and even then I only ever used it for Encarta.

I did Standard Grade computing and got a grade 4 for it which to be honest is pretty shocking.
I think that using a computer for learning is lazy. When doing homework and looking for the answer, if you googled it you would write the answer down and move onto the next one. There would be no retention of the knowledge and workings at all.

You don't get the same laziness with learning from a book.

bmh16 · 28-12-10, 11:32 AM

There is an advantage to computers, but there are too much distractions associated with them like gaming, music, social networking etc. Disadvantaged in a way if you don't have one, in the other way it makes you advantaged. The most advantageous position is to have a computer at hand in school and a library or something and not at home, imo.

28-12-10, 07:31 AM	#1
the_icks Mr Baldy Chicken Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 14,479	Children without computers from the BBC BBC News - A million UK children 'lack access to computers' Children without computers or the internet at home are DISADVANTAGED?? It is claimed that low income houses do not have computers or access to the internet...... is this a disadvantage, the report makes it almost sound like neglect!! For those of us of a certain vintage, do you feel that you would have had a better standard of education today?? Personally, I hand wrote all my work, used a dictionary to check spellings, used encyclopedias/THE LIBRARY for research...... and I have a very high standard of education. For the students on here, fo you feel that computers give you an advantage?? I showed my wifes 15 yr old cousin a LOG TABLE and his head almost exploded!!! Surely there is enough computer time at school these days without the need for isolation in the home.... my kids have restricted pc time and enjoy board games and reading, i could not be a parent who just lets them sit on it for hours on end.... __________________ Last edited by the_icks; 28-12-10 at 07:32 AM..

28-12-10, 09:44 AM	#4
-null- Mini Mac Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 3,143	I think it's good for kids/teenagers having access to the internet. They learn how to find information which is imho more important than knowing it. Also it means they can find out about personal things they may not want to talk to anyone about. Last edited by -null-; 28-12-10 at 09:44 AM..

28-12-10, 11:05 AM	#6
beezer123 Mini Mac Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Aberdeenshire Posts: 4,038	When I was younger I spent most of my time reading Dorling Kindersley reference books. I never had a PC until I was about 2nd year at Academy and even then I only ever used it for Encarta. I did Standard Grade computing and got a grade 4 for it which to be honest is pretty shocking. I think that using a computer for learning is lazy. When doing homework and looking for the answer, if you googled it you would write the answer down and move onto the next one. There would be no retention of the knowledge and workings at all. You don't get the same laziness with learning from a book. __________________ My Sites Free Nintendo DSi Free Macbook Pro Free Galaxy Nexus Free iPhone 4S Free iPad 2 open spoiler to see what im doing Spoiler currently working on: Verifying: Ordered: Received: Macbook 13 inch from Apple incentives £570 Amazon Voucher instead of second MacBook from Apple.real incentices Netgear DG834N Router from Apple.freebiejeebies £26 Rollersnakes voucher from Apple.freebiejeebies iPod Touch 8Gb from Apple.Freebiejeebies iPod Nano 8gb from Apple.Freebiejeebies £150 Amazon Voucher from gifts.real-incentives £180 amazon voucher from Nextgen.giveaway. 2 x Apple iPhone from Apple incentives COD World at war from Apple Incentives Silver Apple iPod Nano 4gb from Apple incentives Nintendo Ds lite White from forfree4u Noise Magnets x2 forfree4u

28-12-10, 11:32 AM	#7
bmh16 Call me Ben .... Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Bristol / Neath Posts: 7,738	There is an advantage to computers, but there are too much distractions associated with them like gaming, music, social networking etc. Disadvantaged in a way if you don't have one, in the other way it makes you advantaged. The most advantageous position is to have a computer at hand in school and a library or something and not at home, imo. __________________ FREE PS3 \| FREE iPod Touch \| FREE Wii Spoiler

28-12-10, 08:17 AM	#2
williamblah iPod 60gb Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Colchester, Essex Posts: 1,894	Having unlimited information at the tips of your fingertips accessible within seconds is a huge advantage, in my opinion. I feel I keep a good mix of handwritten and typed-up notes, and the advantages in terms of error-checking, duplication, communicating, collaborating are massive. While I am active on the internet for a good few hours a day, about a quarter of that is from my phone when I'm on the go, and one of my biggest passions is hiking and camping - if I didn't leave the house for a day I'd feel so strange!