Schools and Computers

A TFT Screen is ok

To teach people as you say "tradtionally" and the skills taught, that the teaching of the skills you say is somewhat backward and unnecessary in the age of computers.
Its the same as arguing that we should teach childeren in a traditional vicrotian way, "they will be taught to think if they use an abacus instead of a calculator" (although contradiciting myself, it has been prven that for the early years an abacus provides visual learning for arithmatic) or it is comparable to say "we should still cane children to discipline them so they learn there lesson" There are different ways of doing this now, as culture and lifestyle has moved on, some of these advances are welcomed, and some people find them hard to accept, for example, computers in schools is a big leap, but is simply just a development in history, and an advance. Schools must not fall behind in this quickly moving world.
Computers are the future, and schools shouldn't be backward, they should reflect the real world. which schools in britain are trying to do. The issue of spec and economics/upgrading, I have already adressed a potential solution above.

Our schools stick mainly to traditional methods. Yet Finland is one of the leading countries in educationated people and generally has had massive amounts of people who end up on more computer heavier parts of the industry, go figure. We don't exactly farm land here, anymore, or cut those woods down. (although we still have plenty left)

Just because computers is the future, doesn't mean that writing with your hands would be inferior to computer typing, I believe it's quite the contrary in fact. In fact, it just gives one the essentials in proper grammar and all the other basics that one needs to know if one wants to master the secret arts of computers.

Britain might or might not try to reflect the real world, but I think most of the work places still like employees who can still think on their heads, and don't need an gadget to do it for them.

yeh those students that failed the 3rd grade test would probably haved failed 21st century exams anyway - the education system in the UK is only really good if the school is good. Finland has an excellent education system in that students in most schools will, at the very least, have a good chance and oppurtunity to succeed - i reckon that the cultural and social values in Finland are alot more meaningul and better-taught than in the UK.

At the end of the day, Finland is still ranked no. 1 on the Index of Technological Achievement:

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/eco_tec_ach

and no. 3 on the Technology Index (which denotes the country's technological readiness. This index is created with such indicators as companies spending on R&D, the creativity of its scientific community, personal computer and internet penetration rates.)

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/eco_tec_ind

So, Jim's point about technology in education being less important are pretty valid. Finland is one of the top 'computer' countries in the world - with companies like Nokia coming out if it. I live in Singapore, which is also very technologically advanced, (rank no. 10). The local schools here do not make use of technology to the same extent as in the UK - yet people here are more technologically savvy (in general), and technology companies (like Creative - a Singaporean company) do very well here. I go to a British international school and we have interactive whiteboards and computers in every classroom. I still prefer, as do many of our teachers and students, that pen and paper and the whiteboard are best.

Computer courses can be taken after schooling and most computer skills can be learnt very quickly - it is not necessary, at this point, to have technology take over every aspect of our lives - as shown by many smaller, almost unknown, countries - like Finland, Singapore, Hong Kong etc..

Jim's point about technology in education being less important are pretty valid, but for the sake of debate I am trying to argue a case for both sides

Social and Cultural Values are not even taught in Englsuh schools; and school starts from 5 as well, also, As in my other post, Computers are often not needed because they simplya can't be applied to the lesson; or time is wasted when the students can't apply themselves to work on the computers. (Refer to my other Post)

After the Second World War, neutral Finland lay in the grey zone between the western countries and the Soviet Union. The "YYA Treaty" (Finno-Soviet Pact of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance) gave the Soviet Union some leverage in Finnish domestic politics. There was also a tendency of self-censorship regarding Finno-Soviet relations. This phenomenon was given the name Finlandisation by the German press. However, Finland maintained a democratic government and a market economy unlike most other countries bordering the Soviet Union.

The post-war era was a period of rapid economic growth and increasing wealth and stability for Finland. In all, the war-ravaged agrarian country was transformed into a technologically advanced market economy with a sophisticated social welfare system. When the Soviet Union fell in 1991, the bilateral trade disappeared overnight, and Finland was simultaneously hit by a "home-cooked" severe recession. This left a mass unemployment problem, but the economy survived and began growing at a high rate after the recession. Finland joined the European Union in 1995, where she is an advocate of federalism contrary to the other Nordic countries that are predominantly supportive of confederalism.

In the OECD's international assessment of student performance, PISA, Finland has consistently been among the highest scorers worldwide; in 2003 Finnish 15-year-olds came first in reading literacy and science, and second in mathematics, worldwide.

For decades now, Finland has had a highly industrialised, largely free-market economy with a per capita output equal to that of other western economies such as for example Sweden, UK, France and Germany. Its key economic sector is manufacturing of principally wood, metal, engineering, telecommunication and electronic products. Trade is important, with exports equalling almost one-third of GDP. Except for timber and several minerals, Finland depends on imports of raw materials, energy and some components for manufactured goods.

I think I have run out of valid arguments at this point. I will have to think of some more.......

I don't even know who's arguing for what against what anymore.

yeh same.... i think that this debate has really been exhausted. We're really trying to milk the cow dry if we continue any longer.

I agree ,Lets regroup and pick up the wounded lol