I just read an article in my local newspaper that a local elementary school is soon to be participating in a program where each student will be given a netbook in order to replace their textbooks.  It’s a big experiment attempting to move kids away from textbooks and paper learning to using computers and technology to teach them.  They’ll have their textbooks on their netbooks and there will even be possibilities of interactive learning using these computers.

Being a tech blogger I can’t help but have some thoughts on the matter.  Read what I’ve got to say but then chime in with your opinion.  Technology is certainly changing the way be read and learn and this is quite the hot topic today.

What could be some benefits?

For one, introducing kids to computers at a young age will definitely give them a head start for their future.  Just be comfortable and familiar with computers is good in a digital age.  Some people are afraid to get into using computers and in an age where computers invade almost every aspect of our lives, those who are most comfortable with them have a definite advantage.

The distribution of learning material can be vastly easier.  With books they have to print them and distribute them to the kids.  A kid can have up to several books for each subject they are learning.  That’s a lot of printing and distributing.  Add to that kids carrying one netbook instead of loads of books and you’ve got one good excuse to make the switch.

What are some concerns?

The concern is whether or not it is healthy for kids to be on a computer for such a large part of their day.  There may be concerns about eye strain and carpal tunnel and perhaps even attention deficit issues.  These are some of the health concerns, whether they are founded or not.

The computer and interactive learning could actually work to replace, or cut down on, interaction with teachers.  Digital interaction is very much getting in the way of real, physical, personal interaction in the life of Americans.  Starting kids with this issue at such a young age could have detrimental affects on their social abilities.

What do I think?

You had to ask, didn’t you?  Well, I can see the pluses and minuses.  I think all things need to be done in moderation.  I think it is good to introduce young people to technology because they will be growing up with it.  I also see learning how to be satisfied with a book every once in a while is healthy too.  They don’t need constant stimulation.  They need human interaction.  They need to learn that some of these things are OK or even good every once in awhile.

I wrote an article quite a while ago about how my reading preferences have changed through the years.  Nowadays I mostly read from my computer screen.  I have a hard time finding books I want to read.  The books I do read are non-fiction and I find myself scanning the index to find what I want to glean from the book.

That being said, I think my situation is a bit unhealthy.  I actually have a hard time with paper books keeping my attention.  I mean, I spend a lot of time on my computer and phone because my daytime job has a lot to do with the Internet.  When I do have time to read, I have a hard time paying attention.

Do we need another generation growing up with this type of issue?  Yes, moderation is key.  We need to be careful to give our children a rounded education with social, physical and digital interaction.

OK, now what do you think?

Tell me, where do you fall in this discussion?  Are you all for everything being digital?  Why?  Discuss in the comments.