Using the Internet as a Tool in Schools

As a teacher at Gardena High School I was absolutely stunned while reading your editorial on computers in the classroom (“The Net as a Tool for the Schools,” July 25). In an age where students beg for the film instead of reading the book, the Internet gives them another shiny toy (interactive, no less) to default to in order to avoid reading or researching for something. I have twice refused the offer of a computer in my classroom. Students should be learning, not finding ways to avoid it.

This is my plea to the Southland: Trade in your computers and your high-priced technology and instead ask for better parenting and stronger discipline at home, so that these students might give themselves a chance to succeed. Get the community to participate more in school development and events. A computer is not going to raise attendance at parent conference night; it isn’t going to encourage a student to try harder when he errs, and a computer certainly won’t make sure a student isn’t out until all hours with his or her gun-toting friends.

All the pro-technology people are working against me; they’re trying to put computers in the schools and I’m trying to keep humanity in them.

JACK CUSICK

Gardena

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It is clear to me from this editorial that the author of your editorial has not spent appreciable time on the Internet and has been out of school for some time. Elementary and secondary instruction no longer relies on textbooks, and any school that adheres to textbook instruction is robbing each student of the most critical type of education for the future: computer literacy.

It is no secret that computers now control a great deal of our culture and society. It is simply not enough to graduate knowing how to read or write. In order to be successful and compete in the global marketplace, a person must possess advanced computer skills. Even fast-food restaurants’ ordering systems are computerized.

The first step to this power is use of the Internet. For example, searching the Internet for sites governing sea creatures combines learning about the animals and basic online research. This type of education should be mandatory for all primary and secondary students. If today’s students fail to learn how to use a computer to do research they will fail miserably when they go to college, where the entire library database in online.

JAMES BERRY

Los Angeles

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Your editorial hit on important points regarding Internet access for public schools. You suggested large programs and massive funding. While this is necessary, a vital but often ignored aspect is grass-roots action.

Training teachers not only how to use the Internet but training teachers why to use the Internet is critical. Any funding should include a part-time teacher at each school to coach teachers in Internet use. Coaching should take place in the classroom, during class time, with students present. The coach should be a teacher from the school who is well-known and trusted by staff.

I believe the Internet will change the way we teach in a manner that none of us in education can know or imagine. I want to make this work; anything less would be to fail the future.

RALPH FORD

Manhattan Beach