How to do a "family home computer" these days? (1 Viewer)

[GrandAdmiral]

Make 'em start w/ the basics...

 

[superchuck500]

Get them each a Chromebook or equivalent- they are iPads with keyboards and a mousepad. It gets them used to all of the computer functions and they can be under $200 in sale.

I see the appeal of this, but I'm also reluctant to start off with that sort of freedom and mobility. I'm more envisioning a workstation, at the desk, and they can have allotted time on it and I can keep real-time control over their internet and privacy settings. I can also use learning tools (like typing and other computer lit programs) that they can use to earn more time.

I think that's how most of us learned and I see value in that set-up, even if old school.

 

[CoolBrees]

I see the appeal of this, but I'm also reluctant to start off with that sort of freedom and mobility. I'm more envisioning a workstation, at the desk, and they can have allotted time on it and I can keep real-time control over their internet and privacy settings. I can also use learning tools (like typing and other computer lit programs) that they can use to earn more time.

I think that's how most of us learned and I see value in that set-up, even if old school

So you might as well get them a cubicle while your at it

 

[Brennan77]

This thread feels like something a dad would ask in the 90s about trying to get his son to learn how to drive a stick shift.

I don't even know how much longer we will be using keyboards on a regular basis, everything will just be done with voice prompts.

My kids will learn to drive with a manual transmission.

I see the appeal of this, but I'm also reluctant to start off with that sort of freedom and mobility. I'm more envisioning a workstation, at the desk, and they can have allotted time on it and I can keep real-time control over their internet and privacy settings. I can also use learning tools (like typing and other computer lit programs) that they can use to earn more time.

I think that's how most of us learned and I see value in that set-up, even if old school.

I gave my old desktop to my sister. She put it in the living room so the kids can learn but under her supervision.

 

[zeetes]

My kids will learn to drive with a manual transmission.

you are a good father.

 

[guidomerkinsrules]

I agree, and think there are many professional environments that still require a computer to perform proficiently - and that means being computer literate is an important skill.

the technology is going to continue to advance - whatever they clack on now is going to be very different in a decade
as some are saying computING literacy is probably more important than computER literacy
but i agree with the poster who implied media literacy is vastly more important than device awareness (except for some very narrow fields of interest)

 

[St. Widge]

Interesting.. i was inclined to agree with Orion’s VCR analogy upthread.. i was going to suggest that using tablets/apps vs learning how to use an actual computer was akin to how we had to learn math in school, when now all i pretty much use is a calculator- or more accurately, the calculator app on my phone.. i suppose there is a case to be made for learning the ins and outs of an actual computer, but as someone else mentioned- i think the need for that would be mostly if you have some type of specialized job that requires it .. also, if you did have some sort of ‘family computer’ setup Chuck, i feel like it wouldnt get utilized much since their default for 95% of things would be to use their phones and apps .

I don't know how specialized the job has to be. I can tell you that for lawyers a computer is essential. You can't write briefs or even file things in Court these days without an actual computer. And my daughter is an electrical engineering major who, to my surprise, has to do a significant amount of coding working and learning computer languages. And that's not just for school. She has a job as an intern and most of what she does is coding. And she's not even in an IT field.

Tablets and phones are great for entertainment and for some jobs, but there are many office jobs where a full computer is absolutely necessary.

 

[zeetes]

the technology is going to continue to advance - whatever they clack on now is going to be very different in a decade
as some are saying computING literacy is probably more important than computER literacy
but i agree with the poster who implied media literacy is vastly more important than device awareness (except for some very narrow fields of interest)

i've been using a pc since 1990, and in fairness, (looks and performance aside) the experience really hasn't changed much since '95 (ver. b), at least for windows/dos. even office is still basically the same from 2003+. best part is that using memmaker is pretty much obsolete.

teach those kids windows key shortcuts.

 

[zeetes]

I don't know how specialized the job has to be. I can tell you that for lawyers a computer is essential. You can't write briefs or even file things in Court these days without an actual computer. And my daughter is an electrical engineering major who, to my surprise, has to do a significant amount of coding working and learning computer languages. And that's not just for school. She has a job as an intern and most of what she does is coding. And she's not even in an IT field.

Tablets and phones are great for entertainment and for some jobs, but there are many office jobs where a full computer is absolutely necessary.

our lawyers now rely on grammarly too. it loves to eat resources.

 

[St. Widge]

I’d start them with a cheap Windows laptop they can share and maybe get a shared iMac or Mac mini for the household they can use after a while. That will expose them to both interfaces and they can later choose which they prefer.

That's what I did with my daughter. She started off with an iPad but moved to a cheap Windows laptop and then later a Mac Book. She's now back to a Windows laptop for college. It helps to be able to use both operating systems.

 

[St. Widge]

our lawyers now rely on grammarly too. it loves to eat resources.

You need better lawyers.

 

[zeetes]

You need better lawyers.

i work for the state. we need better everything. except me. i'm awesome.

 

[Grumpy Old Manatee]

our lawyers now rely on grammarly too. it loves to eat resources.

Stop keeping them so busy…

 

[St. Widge]

the hard drive in my pc died in may. i still haven't replaced it.

Too short to reach the top of the desk it's sitting on?

 

[St. Widge]

i work for the state. we need better everything. except me. i'm awesome.

I know and that's true.