Whoa, team! You can bet that it wasn't too long before "safe axemanship"
and "tips and techniques for axepersons" were added to the curriculum.
This apparent backlash against teaching computer literacy may have
a germ of (needed) truth in making sure that something gets taught
about computers besides how they work. Nonetheless, casting it as
a "literacy VS applications" debate (as is happening in two different
Edtech threads) is an overreaction that, if uncritically adopted,
will result in a generation of computer users who treat them as
inscrutable black boxes and really hate the tools that they need.
In connection with the earlier comment that technology is broader than
computers, I couldn't agree more. And there is a tremendous need to
educate people better in assessment and proper judgement in
technology matters! My life has been changed strongly for the worse
by the blind acceptance of chemical technology and internal combustion
engines in the 1950's-1970's. Measurement of side effects and assessment
of overall risks and costs of specific technologies
(and, in some cases, the absence of such measurements)
is a controversial but growing need if we are to maintain a balanced
approach to the development, deployment, and safe usage of new
technical capabilities. Too much restraint, and you prevent
deployment of life-saving and life-enabling technologies;
too little, and you propagate technology-induced plagues or tragedies.
Let's aim for a reasonable and healthy balance among the attitudes of
respect for, understanding of, and fear of technology. If Edtechers
can't do this, my hopes for society are considerably dimmed!!!
William C. Mead
wcm@ansr.com
Visit Adaptive Network Solutions Research, Inc. on the web
at http://www.ansr.com/ansr !