Computers At Home Are Beneficial

August 17, 1989

Use of computers in four Peninsula school systems will reach all-time highs this fall.

It follows that area stores are making computers more available for home use.

"In the last few years we are seeing more interest from parents as far as educational software is concerned. Most of it is for the younger kids. Older ones lose interest," says Mike Hosch, manager of Walden Software in Patrick Henry Mall.

Those overseeing use of computers in area schools see benefits in having home computers but are reluctant to push them because of the cost.

"Home computers by and large are a help although parents can go overboard," says Cameron M. Harris, director of program evaluation in the Hampton Schools.

"The one big problem," she says, "is compatibility of systems. "If a kid wants to do homework at home, the machine has to be compatible with what the school uses. We upgrade systems all the time. Parents can't."

In Newport News, Steve Devan finds kids are flexible. "We've found kids will work with one kind of computer at home and another in school. They treat them like two radios. After some critical learning, they've got it under control," says the coordinator of computer education.

"Computer technology is changing so rapidly, many will buy new ones to keep up, while others can be happy with one for years," he says.

Bill Sharpe calls the computer "the best flash card invented." He's the supervisor of instructional technology and data processing in Williamsburg/James City County.

"Computers are just an aid. If used at home, I see them motivating, if used sensibly ... if they're not limited to games or one function. They should be multi-functional."

"Computers at home are very beneficial," says Wesley Bird, director of technology and computer services in York County.

"Students using them at home learn quicker. They can do their homework at home. As for incompatibility, it's usually pretty easy to transfer ... but it's beneficial with or without a matchup.

"Also, students can help the teacher because they've experienced problems at home a teacher may not have encountered."

Radio Shack, due to open a Patrick Henry Mall outlet shortly, expects to offer two units which can comfortably be used at home, says district sales manager Bob Liddle.

He says a lap-top computer "is good for a student who might take notes in college." Some Tandy 1,000TL's, with and without a monitor, will be available, too.

Following, in alphabetical order, is a capsule summary of computer activities in each county school system.

HAMPTON: The elementary level goal is two-to-three per grade, but the big push, as in most systems, is in the middle schools to prepare for literacy task force testing. Harris says there will be 130 new ones for grade six "and we'll still have computers in the library and lab and classrooms available for at-risk sixth-grade students. Other grades can use them when available. High schools concentrate on computers as a tool in English, math and business. "In business, we're using a lot of new ones this year," she says. There also are 20 to 30 computers available for teacher training.

NEWPORT NEWS: At least nine computers are in every elementary school and all will have at least two labs this fall. In one lab, there will be at least 10 computers. In the second lab, 19 to 24 are available, except for one small school, where there will be 10. The sixth-grade literacy test is, says Devan, "another element in the arsenal." Those who don't pass the test by the eighth grade can't attend high school. In high school, a total of 1,300 computers are available with labs for business students, computer programing, word processing and remedial English.

WILLIAMSBURG/JAMES CITY COUNTY: Basically, computers are used as an aid to instruction in elementary classes. In middle schools "we begin to introduce them as a tool to broaden themselves ... for science studies," says Sharpe. Starting this semester, all students can spend 60 to 90 minutes weekly on a computer and there will be 25 to 30 station labs. In the sixth grade, everyone will work six weeks on computers. In high school, they're used: For business education, accounting, word processing and general office procedures; For math and computer science; For aids to teaching and learning.

YORK COUNTY: From kindergarten through 12th grade, 586 computers will be available. "The goal is one in every classroom," says Bird. "We'll have courses in problem solving, which generally students enjoy." In high school, there's a course on computer application, several business courses: word processing, math, spreadsheets and databases. Computers are used in music and vocational courses. Teachers use a computer management system to keep track of grades and progress.

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