4 ms·

I disagree. A school without basic technology like computers and tablets? Blimey, you want us to go back to slates and chalk? Most schools have 3D printers, VR

I disagree. A school without basic technology like computers and tablets? Blimey, you want us to go back to slates and chalk? Most schools have 3D printers, VR headsets, iPads. We need to teach kids about technology they will be using in 10 - 15 years time when they hit the job market. We can't send kids out into a career without having used an iPad. Some kids don't have access to tech or the internet at home, now you want to take it away at school? Shame on you.

PaulHoule 10y ago
I visited a local trade school last week and was shocked to see Pentium // motherboards, discrete sound cards, etc. in the technology classroom.
GordonS 10y ago
> We can't send kids out into a career without having used an iPad Other than 'app developer', what actual careers involve using specifically an iPad, let alone a generic tablet? > Most schools have 3D printers, VR headsets, iPads Tablets sure, not necessarily iPads. 3D printers and VR headsets?! I'm talking about primary school, kids aged 5-11 - it would be rare for even secondary schools in the UK to have 3D printers or VR headsets. You used the word 'blimey', so I assume you are either English or taking the piss?! Most kids get enough of tablets at home nowadays. Christ, all too many parents plonk their kid in front of a tablet and leave them to it for hours at a time. I'm not saying tech doesn't have a place, it absolutely does, but sometimes the real, tactile world is the best place to learn - like for 5 year-olds learning basic maths, reading and writing.
- j2bax 10y ago
  I've seen many non-technical professionals using iPad's. In many cases they are replacing laptops in meetings. They are used in manufacturing environments. They are used in hospitals, airports etc etc. That said, my 80 year old grandmother learned to be pretty proficient on an iPad in a matter of a few hours, so I'm not really that concerned about people being able to pick up general tablet usage outside of school.
  - robertlagrant 10y ago
    This is exactly the point - no one needs to be taught how to use an iPad. It's some MBA trying to push "educational strategy". No one who invented any part of an iPad grew up with one. The further into my tech career I go, the more I like a bog standard whiteboard and a notebook and pen. They let me focus on thinking about hard stuff, instead of thinking about how to use some oversold software.
bigger_cheese 10y ago
When I was in high school (late 90's/early 00's) I needed to buy a fancy Texas Instruments graphical calculator for my advanced math class. Back then it probably cost about what a low end tablet would set you back today ($200/300 Australian). The whole thing must have been a huge rort. I can only think of a handful of times I ever used the damn thing for anything beyond what I could have used a significantly cheaper scientific calculator for. The return on investment was terrible I can't help but think the same thing with Ipads in schools nowadays. What does an ipad buy you over significantly cheaper noname brand android device? Amusingly enough I was not allowed to use the graphical calculator at university because programmable calculators were banned from examinations due to concerns about cheating. I used a cheap $10 casio calculator all through my engineering degree at uni...

PaulHoule 10y ago

I visited a local trade school last week and was shocked to see Pentium // motherboards, discrete sound cards, etc. in the technology classroom.

GordonS 10y ago

> We can't send kids out into a career without having used an iPad Other than 'app developer', what actual careers involve using specifically an iPad, let alone a generic tablet? > Most schools have 3D printers, VR headsets, iPads Tablets sure, not necessarily iPads. 3D printers and VR headsets?! I'm talking about primary school, kids aged 5-11 - it would be rare for even secondary schools in the UK to have 3D printers or VR headsets. You used the word 'blimey', so I assume you are either English or taking the piss?! Most kids get enough of tablets at home nowadays. Christ, all too many parents plonk their kid in front of a tablet and leave them to it for hours at a time. I'm not saying tech doesn't have a place, it absolutely does, but sometimes the real, tactile world is the best place to learn - like for 5 year-olds learning basic maths, reading and writing.

j2bax 10y ago
I've seen many non-technical professionals using iPad's. In many cases they are replacing laptops in meetings. They are used in manufacturing environments. They are used in hospitals, airports etc etc. That said, my 80 year old grandmother learned to be pretty proficient on an iPad in a matter of a few hours, so I'm not really that concerned about people being able to pick up general tablet usage outside of school.
- robertlagrant 10y ago
  This is exactly the point - no one needs to be taught how to use an iPad. It's some MBA trying to push "educational strategy". No one who invented any part of an iPad grew up with one. The further into my tech career I go, the more I like a bog standard whiteboard and a notebook and pen. They let me focus on thinking about hard stuff, instead of thinking about how to use some oversold software.

bigger_cheese 10y ago

When I was in high school (late 90's/early 00's) I needed to buy a fancy Texas Instruments graphical calculator for my advanced math class. Back then it probably cost about what a low end tablet would set you back today ($200/300 Australian). The whole thing must have been a huge rort. I can only think of a handful of times I ever used the damn thing for anything beyond what I could have used a significantly cheaper scientific calculator for. The return on investment was terrible I can't help but think the same thing with Ipads in schools nowadays. What does an ipad buy you over significantly cheaper noname brand android device? Amusingly enough I was not allowed to use the graphical calculator at university because programmable calculators were banned from examinations due to concerns about cheating. I used a cheap $10 casio calculator all through my engineering degree at uni...