QUOTE said:Braben argues that education since we entered the 2000s has turned towards ICT which teaches useful skills such as writing documents in a word processor, how to create presentations, and basic computer use skills. But that has replaced more computer science-like skills such as basic programming and understanding the architecture and hardware contained in a computer.
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His solution is not to create his own course, but instead to manufacture a very low cost PC that can be given to kids for free and courses built up around their use. When we say low cost, we mean so low even the OLPC would be impressed.
I've gotta' say I approve of a plan like this. Almost every day I run into people who know how to do all sorts of stuff on facebook and in word, but can't navigate folders to save their life. I'll go in to give somebody a computer lesson, and while I'm trying to teach them how to navigate around and the basics of what a program is and such, they interrupt me and say they just want to check their e-mail or something. While I could teach them how to open a browser and check their mail, if something goes wrong they'll be lost. It's like they're new to driving and I'm trying to teach them how to use their turn signal and such, and they just want me to tell them exactly how to get to the store. Well, what if a light was green when I showed them, but the next day it was red when they tried? People don't often realize you need to crawl before you can walk. If you don't know the basics then you're lost every time something changes.
I'm sure we all know people like this, they can normally use their computer fine, but god forbid anything change, or they're like a lost little puppy.