[geeks] New Tech Schools: Digital Harbor in Baltimore

[velociraptor]

On 4/12/07, Jonathan C. Patschke <jp at celestrion.net> wrote:
> On Thu, 12 Apr 2007, Joshua Boyd wrote:
>
> > I question the teaching of word processing at all.  Just tell kids
> > they have to type their papers, and they will be able to figure it
> > out.
>
> I respectfully disagree.
>
> I've met very few people who use word processors daily who can use them
> well.

But is this the job of a public school trying to prepare students for
the future?  I don't think so, myself.  School is about learning how
to learn, getting the basics for survival (e.g. "real world"
skills--check Heinlein's list), and understanding how to think
critically (e.g. not be a mark).  Teaching Microsoft Word is a waste
of time b/c by the time those kids get to the workforce, it won't be
the same.  The things necessary to be efficient in any software can
come from teaching kids how to get into the "meta" aspects of any
software application--e.g. teaching them to look more than skin deep.

IMO.  My direct experiences trying to do those things you and others
have talked about--lay out print-ready copy using Word are the things
that made me realize that wasn't really what Word was targetted to do.
 I moved on to other page layout programs and carefully guard my copy
of FrameMaker b/c of it.  The decision to use another tool is part of
a way of thinking about doing stuff that should be taught, in my mind.

=Nadine=
p.s. I also agree with Heinlein's comment, "Specialization is for insects."