Readers laud PCs in schools

Teaching students to read, write, and reason can only be helped by the use of computers, not hindered, readers indicated in the latest NEWS.COM poll.

Corporations and politicians have invested billions of dollars in technology for America's classrooms, but a NEWS.COM special report questioned the value of the digital schoolhouse when many teachers lack proper training and are hurting for technical support.

Despite struggles public schools are facing in their journey to integrate computers into lesson plans, 78.6 percent of readers say the machines are an effective alternative tool for teaching subjects such as math and reading.

"Computers are a vital part of today's economy and workforce. Any job with significant advancement potential these days requires computer familiarity at the very least," one wrote.

Among those who responded to an informal survey conducted over the last few days, most agreed that computers and the Net can be important components of education if teachers are trained to use them properly. However, 21.4 percent felt that computers were not a replacement for books when teaching the basics, such as reading, writing, and arithmetic.

"Subjects such as calculus and physics would benefit from computers and Internet connections in the classroom. I don't believe every classroom should be 'wired,' though; it would be pointless to have a computer in my English class," said Jason Gerard of Sandalwood High School in Jacksonville, Florida.