Computer Use in Schools

* Re “Don’t Blame Teachers for Low Computer Use in Classrooms,” Opinion, Aug. 22: As the computer lab resource teacher, and sometimes technology coordinator, at a K-8 school in the LAUSD for the past 3 1/2 years, I would like to applaud Larry Cuban’s comments on the use of computers in the classroom. For the most part, his insights are right on the money.

I do, however, disagree with his reference to “unreliable machines and software.” Having worked to maintain a computer lab with over 40 computers plus a server and numerous classroom systems, both donated and purchased, for the past couple of years, I can assure you that both hardware and software are fairly reliable.

Cuban is correct in asserting that many teachers are computer literate in the use of this technology, but they lack the technical expertise to trouble-shoot hardware and software problems when they occur. Trust me on this, when many little hands come in contact with a computer’s mouse and keyboard, this becomes imperative.

Cuban also overlooks the issue of planning. Sound technology planning is essential to the productive and effective implementation of computer technology in schools and classrooms. To date, such planning is sorely lacking at many schools, as well as the cluster and district levels, in Los Angeles. At the school site level, purchases of both software and hardware are often made in a pell-mell fashion, and existing computer resources are often poorly managed.

To its credit, the LAUSD has made some efforts to correct these deficiencies in the past year.

WARREN B. MERRIMAN

Los Angeles

* Cuban’s article was a good piece explaining why teachers rarely use computers at school. However, his statement that “four to six new machines were put in each teacher’s classroom” was incorrect. I am sure that was true of some districts, but not of mine. The two main technological improvements in my classroom are the lightbulb and an overhead projector.

I bring my own cell phone, TV, VCR, cassette player and three computers and a printer. I also buy any software that I use on those computers, and the printer paper and ink. I would love to be able to use the Internet in my classroom, but so far it is still a dream.

LINDA BROWN

Bellflower