WHEATON–This is in regards to Bob Greene’s article, “Log off and learn” (July 7).
I would just like to say that the article was a big relief to read. I am a 21-year-old college student majoring in English Literature with plans to attend law school.
I have quite a bit of exposure to computers under my belt. I am happy to say that the majority of this exposure is from my college level education, with a little from senior year in high school.
When people talk about more and more computer education infiltrating schools as low as the elementary level, I want to cringe. I remember the small amount of Internet work we did in high school and even that was not very productive. The teacher wanted to teach us how to use the Internet as a research tool, something I did not disagree with. But, the majority of the class simply looked up websites containing games, even explicit sexual material.
I’m sure a lot of that is avoided in schools with webguards and security, at least, I hope so. The Internet is a valuable tool, but I think it can only be valuable for a person who has had to do research in a library, with books! Only the well-educated mind that has learned to comprehend math, history, English, and science (without the aid of a computer) can truly understand and appreciate the incredible tasks and dangers a computer can perform. Children need to be encouraged to learn the basics of researching in books, encyclopedias, newspapers etc., without turning straight to the Internet.
I want to thank the Tribune and Bob Greene for bringing this to our attention. As an English major and avid reader, I love books as well as research of any kind. I wish and pray for my future children to have this same love and appreciation of books, without completely relying on a computer to educate them.
But, I guess I’m keeping up with the computer age by sending my thank-you note by e-mail!
— Lisa Previti
KICKS FROM `66′
CHICAGO–If I still taught my writing class, your article (“Get on the bus: stares, smiles, frowns, sounds on the NO. 66,” July 1) Julia Keller’s would be used as a model! Excellent writing on all fronts. Thank you.
— Nancy Arnier
