[geeks] New Tech Schools: Digital Harbor in Baltimore

[Brian Dunbar]

Geoffrey S. Mendelson wrote:
> On Wed, Apr 11, 2007 at 12:53:57PM -0500, Brian Dunbar wrote:
>> I'm more distressed about them teaching 'Word'.  Not a MS bias but
>> observation that 'teaching office automation' usually involves
>> memorizing 'how-to' run MS Office and not, say, the broad concepts
>> behind the thing.
> 
> The unfortunate thing is that in a world where you can buy a computer
> at a supermarket, Office automation is Word and Excel. Or to be generic
> word procession and spreadsheets. 

No - you misunderstand.

I have no problem with Word or Excel.  What I have a beef with is their
teaching 'just' Word and Excel and not anything beyond that.

PowerPoint is a good example.  The kids learned 'how' to put a
presentation together in PowerPoint.  But it wasn't tied to anything
like cites or research or even learning how to make a good presentation.

It's like learning how-to operate a microscope - slide and sample
preparation and how to twiddle the focus knob .. but getting zip about
the wee bits you're looking at. What's the point?

I'm biased - my oldest kids attended public schools.  My youngest are
home schooled.  I can see the difference.


-- 
Brian Dunbar
System Administrator
Liftport - The Space Elevator Company

brian.dunbar at liftport.com
aim: bdunbar1967

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Meaningful Work or Death.
Any other form of existence doesn't interest me.

Hugh Macleod