"Students shouldn't be introduced to computers until the sixth grade."

A radio commentator surprised me a few years ago with that statement. I've heard many other voices agree. The position states while computer skill is required in today's society, the training itself isn't as important as other school subjects. Learning computer basics is a waste of time, as those skills can be learned easily and quickly. Instead, focus should be placed on more traditional subjects to achieve a well-rounded education.

While this argument is well-meaning, I couldn't disagree more. Let's break the argument into its assumptions.

1) "Learning computers is about learning point-and-click, how to use word processors, how to navigate the Internet, et cetera. These concepts are easy to learn and don't need to be taught so early."

Don't think of computer use as learning a step-by-step approach. There is far more to computers than using one program, or going through a checklist of instructions. Pretend we're an inexperienced cook: We're trying to create a cream of mushroom soup recipe. We call up Chef Mario Luigi for help. While Mario doesn't have any specific soup recipes to give us, he listens to us read the recipes we've tried. He then recommends modifying one of the recipes slightly to change the mushroom flavor and soup texture. One sampling later, we've got the perfect soup. Chef Luigi didn't follow any instructions and didn't need a manual. He doesn't need specific recipes, but he does need to know food. His experience and intuition makes him a chef, not any recipes he's copied down. This relates directly to computer education: Get through the basics so you can then learn how computers function and behave. This gives us intuition about computers that step-by-step instructions don't provide, but this comfort level takes time to acquire. The intuition allows us to really use these tools, instead of sticking with programs A and B and being uncomfortable trying C and D. Yes, I've just mixed cream of mushroom soup and computers. Don't try this at home.

2) "School computer use is gratuitous. Focus should be placed on traditional educational methods."

The problem here is one of definition and curriculum. Heed the Taoist philosophy of balance and get a well-rounded education. Don't focus everything on computers and technology, and don't remove computers from an education because they seem gratuitous. In pre-college schools, computers should be introduced as the tools they are. A computer is just a tool used to get something done and accomplish a specific task, and this shouldn't be hidden from students. For children raised today, clicking a mouse should be as natural as using a fork. The alternative is to create problems when students need to interact and live with computers. We are a race of toolmakers. Proof lies literally at our feet: What else are toes but vestigial fingers? From shoes to spellcheckers, we create tools to better control our environment and improve our lives. Use them.

Ray writes in with a different opinion:

Children need to be children. Raising three successfully and having 5 grandchildren gives me some credentials.

Children need to play outside in the snow, chase butterflies, dig holes in the yard, catch worms, and generally learn how to socialize with others.

Computers don't help and for many hinder socialization.

Computers make for nerds, loners, and worse (psycho/sociopaths) when they are introduced early and become the all consuming time and energy burners they are for too many of our children.

The origins of the don't "introduce until the sixth grade" concept knows whereof he/she speaks.

Talk to educators today that have to deal with the human refuse/children they are trying to work with, children who have probation officers in the 3rd grade, and they will tell that a computer never helped anybody learn the life skills necessary to survive in the 21st century.

A child has not yet lived that was better for the experience of learning computer skills in 1st grade.

Andy's response:

I agree with some of your points, but would point to myself and a couple friends as proof that a computer-filled upbringing didn't turn us evil or hinder socialization. I'm not saying to shove your kids at a PC and disregard other aspects of life. I'm very aware that would be unhealthy. What I'm advocating is education in moderation. Don't hide the computer until 6th grade, but expose it as another tool for the kids to use. It shouldn't be presented as a wonder-machine that everyone should use, but along the lines of a set of encyclopedias, a calculator, a word processor, etc.

I think one could also argue that the computers don't turn people to psychos, sociopaths or loners as you insinuated, but that those personality types are more likely to use computers to compensate for those problems.