Computers in Elementary Education

Paper Summary:

In today's modern world, computers have not only changed the way one handles daily errands and life, but also the way children are being educated. Today, computers are in classrooms across the nation and being used in almost every subject as a teaching tool. This paper shows that, while the age of technology continues to grow, there are some who are concerned that the back-to-basics of elementary education may be lost in the use of technological tools such as computers. People are concerned that the basic ability to read and compute numbers will be lost if the children at this age-level are taught to use technical tools instead of the "old fashioned method". Teachers around the nation have been trained to incorporate computers into their lessons, but those who have concerns fear the computers are either taking the place of basic instruction or being used as babysitters. This proposal addresses that concern and asks questions to determine whether the use of computers in the elementary classroom is taking away the basic instructional knowledge for the core subjects.

From the Paper:

"Many articles have been published about computers in the classrooms and the benefits of the programs that are available(Instill, 1995). Children type in the word "Watergate" and they are instantly taken to a picture of Richard M. Nixon with a history of his life and participation in the scandal. Other students may locate maps of Africa and compare them historically through graphics on the monitor(Instill, 1995). All of this appears to be a positive learning experience but is it taking the place of good old fashioned research? Students are being taught reading skills by chasing characters across the correct words on a screen and some worry that it is replacing the skill of sounding out words on a page."

More papers on Computers in Elementary Education:

• Essay # 59489 : "Computers in the Classroom"
• Essay # 53927 : "Computer Program in Elementary School"
• Research Paper # 8554 : "Computer Usage in Elementary Schools"

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