University Daily Kansan, April 30, 1981
Page 9
Computers help children
By DEBBY FOSTER Staff Reporter
Elementary school students could soon be using computers in their classrooms, according to William Holloway, chairman of education policy and administration in the School of Education.
Because of an increased dependence on computers in society, they will be used more frequently in learning and educational processes, he said. Teachers also will have to learn to deal with them.
Although there is no computer requirement for undergraduates in the School of Education now, there will be in the new five-year program, Dale Scannell, dean of the School of Education, said.
The school is in the process of developing a microcomputer lab, he said.
"We already have three of the microcomputers (desk-top computers) that are used for instruction and training both by faculty and students," he said.
SCANNELL SAID one benefit of using computers in education was that
the children could pace themselves individually, whereas in a regular classroom all students moved at the same pace.
Also, he said students would get immediate feedback on the correctness and understanding of their work.
Holloway agreed that computers in education would be beneficial.
"I think computers remove the mundane, trivial and boring from the classroom," he said. "I think they are more efficient and can be exceedingly more efficient."
“Also, they give us a more convenient way to deal with large amounts of knowledge. They can handle more information and data than the human mind can.”
Scannell said the increasing prominence of computers in everyday life would have an impact on their importance.
"Because computers are so inexpensive now," he said, "soon many people will have them in their homes." In recent years, the school already knowing about them.
According to Scannell, the earliest developments have occurred in the areas of statistics and mathematics because it is easier to write programs
for them and the programs are more available through commercial sources.
"We can buy programs from vendors
we sell the hardware (the actual
computer equipment)," he said.
"The three are catalogs available with
our software."
Holloway said that because computers were becoming commonplace, teachers were going to have to deal with them.
"My belief is that for some applications I can envision usage of computers in the second grade and increasingly through the levels."
BUT THERE IS SOME concern among educators that computers will be used improperly or that they will dehumanize" the classroom.
"I'm a little worried that there will be indiscriminate programs where computers will be used for nonsensical rather than intelligent uses," Holloway said. "It's a science fiction story in itself."
"Schmitters often use corporatively, can make instruction more efficient, but they will never replace teachers," he said.
Scannell is not worried, however.
Holloway agreed.
"Computers are fantastic," he said,
"but they are not yet capable of human logic."
By PENNI CRABTREE Staff Reporter
UMKC religion policy examined
"Our guidelines don't have any restrictions concerning religious groups using campus facilities," Ann Evehser, director of student organizations and activities at KU, said. "Several groups use Danforth Chapel or Smith Hall for worship services.
An upcoming Supreme Court decision concerning a University of Missouri at Kansas City policy that forbids religious groups from holding worship services on campus will have little effect on University of Kansas policy, University officials said yesterday.
"Whether or not we goes against the separation of church and state concep is a matter of university philosophy. We operate under
The UMKC policy, which has been in effect since the early 1970s, came under fire in 1977 when a student religious organization, Cornerstone, was denied the use of campus facilities.
specific guidelines that state what a recognized student group can do or can't do, but whether or not that recognition doesn't come into play.
ACCORDING TO David Amber, vice chancellor for student affairs, most university policies concerning the use of state-funded facilities by religious organizations usually champion either the First Amendment or the concept of separation of church and state.
"It's a complex issue," Ambler said. "We try to maintain allegiance to both concepts. The University doesn't provide funding to religious institutions in our campus facilities if they are recognized by the Student Senate."
"We've never been rejected by the KU Events Committee," Dick Orr of the American Baptist Church said. "We have to follow normal
A campus minister for one religious group that sometimes schedules events on campus said that he had had "nothing but good experiences when dealing with the University."
channels, the same as any campus group, when we submit our requests. The University has been more than open to us."
Until the Supreme Court decides the case this fall, UMKC has waived its policy, an official at the university said. Cornerstone, the group holding the original suit, is holding Bible study in the UMKC cafeteria.
"It states very clearly in the Constitution that there be separation of church and state, the UMKC Vice President of the Church felt that public funds and buildings shouldn't be used for the advancement of religion.
ACCORDING TO WIDMAR, the controversy over the UMKC policy is only one of many separation of state and church issues now being fought in courts and legislatures across the country.
"Putting prayer back in school, or even Bible study, are two controversies being fought right now." Widmar said. "The Missouri Legislature is even considering legislation that would require that the theory of creation be taught alongside the theory of evolution."
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