It is hard to disagree with any article that proclaims that too much time at a computer is a bad thing. The article, NewsandSentinel.com: Experts: Too much time on computer harmful, makes excellent points regarding the ills associated with computer games as well as strong points on the physical problems that are associated with over use, particularly in the formative years.
Professor Cynthia Kelley, chairman of the Educational Division at West Virginia University at Parkersburg is quoted in the article:
"When students are allowed to use computers to do projects they can become more collaborative and want to share information. It also gives the children an air of confidence that they may not have with paper and pencil.It can be a great tool, but we don't seem to see a higher level of achievement at this time of children who are coming into school already computer literate. It gives them tools to use, but as far as the higher level thinking, at this point it doesn't seem to be there."
Given the positives that Dr. Kelley identifies, I wonder if there is room for some finger pointing in directions other than that of parent and student problems. Can we honestly say that we have educators who are prepared to challenge those students who are already computer literate (and some who are truly skilled) and move them into areas where computer use can be channelled in the direction of higher levels of thinking and learning? I sincerely hope that the answer to my rhetorical question is not: "Yes, our teachers are proficient at PowerPoint"...turning the negatives of gaming and abuse into positives will not be easy. This presents new challenges to teachers and to parents. I would hope that our teachers are skilled, prepared, and technically sophisticated to lead the way in making computer experiences positive and productive.