Computer Learning and Online Time for Children

There is no suitable or appropriate age when there are no enough resources,

instructions and supervisors for creating effective computer learning opportunity (Collis, B.,
1996. !owever, there is need for computer learning so that higher secondary students will be
able to solve their homewor", assignments and pro#ects.
The absence of computer "nowledge will result in children facing challenges for
completing their pro#ects on time with productive results because their attention will be on
how to use this technology than how to solve the assignment (!asselt, $., and !ersen, %.,
199&.
The purpose of article is to identify appropriate age for children to have computers
incorporated in their curriculum with cooperation from parents at home. Therefore, the aim of
the article is to recogni'e which age is suitable to introduce computers for children.
Computer learning and online time are important factors for determining suitable age
(!aythornthwaite, C., and (a'mer, %., )**+. The proper age will be fifteen to eighteen
years old. The school and parents should set computer and online time for children to ma"e
sure that they are misusing such an opportunity, which will lead to limitations rather than
developing creativity, strengths and "nowledge. ,t the age of fifteen, the children should
ac-uire appropriate "nowledge on how to use %icrosoft applications (word, powerpoint and
e.cel and to manage des"top. This will be serving the basics before ta"ing off on computer
"nowledge.
The learning process should ta"e place with presence of teachers at school and parents
at home supervising and monitoring their activities with proper reason for using computer. By
the end of their online time, teachers and parents should evaluate their activities such as
calculating maths, drawing charts, creating forms or writing paragraphs completion. By the
age of si.teen to eighteen, they will be able to prepare their assignments and pro#ects.
The advantages and benefits of introducing computer to children of fifteen years old
will be beneficial because they have gained the proper "nowledge and creativity from
traditional learning methods. /t will be an independent age where they control their desires,
which are unwanted such as games, music, videos or surfing on the net that will not be
serving educational needs.
/f the computer learning ta"es place at the age of si.teen then their enthusiasm and
e.citement will not allow them to focus on learning re-uired applications. Therefore, by the
age of fifteen or before secondary school is the appropriate time for children gaining access
to the computers. /t is the role of the parents for ma"ing decision when their children should
have access to computer and online time inline with educational curriculum. There will be
difficulties and challenges for enforcing children to stay on trac" and not using computer
besides the purpose set.
The limitations will be when parents are introducing computers and there are no
educational curriculum re-uirements for assignments and pro#ects or activities in relation
with the computer then there is no point for introducing computer. The reason is that the
children will be spending time on computer without any purpose and it will be waste of time.
Therefore, there will be low learning and "nowledge gaining ta"ing place.
Page 2 of 4
/n conclusion, the age will be fifteen to eighteen, which will be the time for them to
learn computers. The reason is that they will be able to use it when they have assignments
and pro#ects or activities from school. !owever, it is depending on school syllabus and
parents "nowledge about computers before ma"ing decision for introducing computers to the
children. The recommendation based is on practical e.perience and observation of children at
various levels along with needs in the school syllabus. 0uch recommendations will be varying
from one country to another and it will be depending on culture and beliefs with direct lin" to
the educational curriculum.
Page 3 of 4
1eferences
Collis, B. 1996. Children And Computers In School. 2ew 3or"4 1outledge.
!asselt, $., and !ersen, %. 199&. Handbook Of Psychological Treatment Protocols For
Children And Adolescents: The !A Series In Personality And Clinical Psychology.
2ew 3or"4 1outledge.
!aythornthwaite, C., and (a'mer, %. )**+. earning" Culture" And Community In Online
!ducation: #esearch And Practice$ %olume &' Of (igital Formations. 2ew 3or"4 5eter
6ang.
Page 4 of 4