Grex Parenting Conference

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Grex Parenting Item 62: Kids on-line?
Entered by popcorn on Mon Jan 30 04:41:44 UTC 1995:

This item text has been erased.

4 responses total.

#1 of 4 by chelsea on Tue Jan 31 14:16:41 1995:

Way back in 1985, knowing nothing at all about computers, I walked into
Inacomp and bought an Apple IIc so that my son, who was then 8, could
learn how to use one.  My mother urged me not to do this, "It costs too
much and all you'll ever use it for is recipes." I wasn't sure what would
come of it all but thought it would make for an interesting experiment,
both of us learning something together.  I had had no exposure and my son
had only watched his teacher trying to use a PET once or twice. 

So now he's in college and has never had a writing assignment that wasn't
done by word processor. He thinks of Excel, and Word, and Ultima VI as I
did maybe the radio, it's neat but no big deal. He can find his way around
an autoexec.bat but he's not a techie.  He uses email, Mirlyn, and MSU
student-type resources, but otherwise has no specific use for the
Internet.  And he won't get involved on Grex or M-net.  I've invited him
many times. I think it's because his parents are involved and it's
important to do things that are different, yours.  His idea of fun is
debating politics and the state of the world and the computer is simply a
tool he uses as needed. 

So, my advice to others has always been get a computer in your house
as early as you can afford one.  Make learning how to use the thing
a *joint* effort.  Let the kid teach you a thing or two.  Don't worry
about how much or if you'll use it.  It's one of the most perfect 
examples of how learning *is* fun, for anyone of any age.

And if it's too late to learn the computer together then find something
else.  If neither you or your child play an instrument, great.  Learn
the tuba or the cello together, from scratch.  It is just a great
experience starting from the same point, parent and child.

#2 of 4 by scg on Wed Feb 1 06:08:42 1995:

Last time I talked to Carlos about Grex, his comment was, "everybody on
Grex is really old!"

        I've been exposed to computer related things pretty much as long
as I can remember.  My mom was a programmer, and in every memory I have of
her using scrap paper for anything during the first several years of my
life, the scrap paper was always her old punch cards. :)  I also remember
seeing a dumb terminal, complete with acoustic modem, a lot when I was in pre
school, although just my mom used it.
        When I was five, my parents got their first real computer.  It was
an IBM PC, with a CGA monitor, 128K of RAM (upgraded from 64K), and two
360K floppy drives.  I used that a little bit, but I was a bit too young
to understand DOS.  Twelve years later that computer is still running
well.  It's mine now, since I rescued it when my dad was trying to throw
it out a few years ago, and I now understand it and use it pretty
frequently (although I do have more powerful computers).
        I didn't actually learn how to use a computer on my own until a
few years later, when the MAC came out.  One of my friends had one, and it
was really easy to use.  All I had to do was point and double click. 
After getting comfortable on the Mac I was able to learn how to do a few
rudementary things in DOS, but I didn't really get comfortable with it at
that point (second or third grade).  My parents got a Mac for my brother
and me when I was in fourth grade, and I've been really comfortable with
computers ever since, even after switching back over to DOS when I was
given the old 8088.
        The original question in this item, though, was not about using
computers, but about connecting to Grex and other systems.  I really
didn't discover what could be done with a modem until around ninth grade,
so I can't speak from personal experience about what that would do for
younger kids, but I think it's been a positive experience for me.  I've
really learned a lot from Grex and other modem uses (even if I am now
Gexing while I should be studying for finals).

#3 of 4 by mta on Thu Feb 2 01:23:26 1995:

My kids (ages 12 & 14) both use GREX on a regular basis.  Not as regularly as 
I do, but regularly.  They seem pretty comfortable with computers, though
they prefer to think of them as toys rather than tools.

#4 of 4 by simcha on Thu Feb 2 17:45:50 1995:

My daughter (4th grade) is using a K12 poject to have on-line pen pals.
I think anything that encourages written communication, exchange of ideas
is great.

I went through college w/out a computer (No one had them at our school) and
used to type 50 page papers on electric (not electronic) typewritiers.

I am trying to convince my daughter typing is now worth learning,
but she wants me to type her papers.

My 1st grade son uses KidWorks to type his homework.  He's much more 
inot computers, while the older child is a little intimidated.
(She also still can't use the remote control to turn off the TV!)

It won't be long til the 2 yr old is on!  

If I could access grex from home they'd love it.

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