At 01:09 AM 1/13/99 +0000, you wrote:
>> There are a lot of *really* good educational programs out there nowadays.
>> Davidson, Learning Company, Br0derbund are some good names. They can
>> really help kids get ahead. My niece is already reading at 4yo thanks to
>> Interactive Reading Journey. (Not a record by any stretch, but no one is
>> really pushing her.)
>
>Hmmmm... I am convinced that the age a child starts to read, and the
>interest he takes in obtaining information has a lot more to do with the
>parents than with computer programs.
True, but there are several instances where good software can make a lot of
difference. First, many parents don't have training in how to teach a kid
to read, so the software can be a good assistant. For children with a
learning disability, the software can make a huge difference. And even for
the best of parents, getting a kid to read is probably not as much fun as
playing the "games" used in these programs.
In the US, however, a lot of parents don't have the time/energy/interest to
work with their kids (yes, I know it should be a crime) so the software can
take over some of the work, so that the parent's limited
time/energy/interest can be directed towards the topics that a computer
can't handle.
I'm not saying that if a kid doesn't have a G3 Mac with all the software,
they'll end up working at McDonalds their whole life, but it can certainly
help them make the most of their potential without running everyone
concerned ragged.
btw, on a similar (and potentially off-topic) topic, does anyone have a
source for affordable quantities (like 20) SCSI CD-ROM drives? 2x is fine,
4x is more than enough. External would be idea, but internal is acceptable
as well. They're for my girlfriend's classroom. Thanks!
--------------------------------------------------------------------- O-
Uncle Roger "There is pleasure pure in being mad
roger_at_sinasohn.com that none but madmen know."
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Received on Wed Jan 13 1999 - 16:37:33 GMT