Videos and interactives used to support learning at home and school are increasingly catching up. Students and parents are becoming increasingly aware of the possibilities of using their home computer and internet connection to the full. Children are often found playing games on the computer and chatting with friends and little else. A science project or a presentation for class is the only other time they willingly use the computer. A friend who emails answers for today's homework is most sought. Computer classes in schools follow outdated material for a syllabus. Even pre-schoolers have a great variety these days with regarding audio books,animated stories,animated rhymes,interactives,learning shapes,colours and of course, alphabets. These are being made in English,Hindi and Kannada languages and are available in various bookstores as DVD's and CD's. Some are of high quality and some are mediocre. But, all are finding takers. Some of these have found their way onto youtube. Most are copyrighted. One very interesting and truly engaging website that I found was www.jaasti.com/ which requires a FREE signup for you to view Free versions of all on their site itself.

TECHNOLOGY AND TEACHERS

Living in the garden city of Bangalore, the ITcapital of India, I see a newfound broadmindedness among people of all ages, particularly the older generation towards the Gen X. They share a vision for the future being more virtual in all major aspects. Better prospects for the young means earlier introduction to palmtops,laptops and such other gadgets. It is now a common sight to see mothers working from home on the computer, with their little ones in their lap. Introduction of computers in all schools and being taught how to use them has made every child much more aware and confident.

But, what of the older generation? No, I am not referring to their parents. Some of course, use the computer for just checking their email, some use only for chatting and still others, only at work. Parents that are software engineers,of course,are always busy online, much to the disappointment of their children,especially,when they work from home even on holidays.

By older generation, I meant grandparents. I met a lady who celebrated her 60th birthday recently and was gifted a laptop by her siblings. She was particularly excited as she could now not only converse with her son and his family abroad, but could also see her little granddaughter using the web cam. She was so excited at the prospect of learning to use and gain more knowledge over the internet and keeping abreast of several of her pet topics. Online, I have come across a lady who is more than 86 and has her own channel on youtube, a couple of elderly gentlemen in their 90's who blog and host a radio station, some are into podcasting. You name it, they are into it. Researchers admit that those that are elderly can remain young and healthy, with an active mind, if they play games against themselves or the computer on the net, and also play word games like scrabble and crossword on the net. The number of elderly people online is definitely on the rise. Retired people find a usefulness in blogging about various topics, and earn out of it too. Some contribute meaningfully to the discussions on Skypecasts.

What of the teachers in schools? Do they use the computers and the internet as much as their counterparts in other parts of the world? Some teachers are very adept at the use of the computers and use PowerPoint presentations to supplement their classroom teaching. Very few, use Excel for teaching or for representing students marks. The most commonly used is Word for Question paper,etc. Still others use only the email, to send mails to their students regarding projects, or last minute notes and diagrams. Many, many teachers just shy away from the use of computers and internet.Technology confuses them, or rather, it is a mental block that needs to be addressed. Schools should take time in familiarising such teachers with ways and means to utilise computers and the internet not just to aid their classroom teaching, but also to help them finish their additional duties such as tallying of marks faster and more accurately. After all, teachers are their employees who in turn, will be more efficient in churning out quality pupils who are ready to take on the world. Such schools should take a cue from certain international schools where the teacher is provided with a laptop and always online to answer queries from their students, parents and the management, 24x7. It certainly would be a pleasure to see more of Indian teachers blogging and editing the wikis.

E-LEARNING

Time was when we learnt only from textbooks at school apart from charts hung on the walls of our classroom. The school library was used to find some information and mostly fiction. Library in college was always used for great reference books which were then used for slide show presentations and seminars. Laboratories were used to show practical experiments.
Today, most schools use more of audio-visual aids. E-learning has taken the place of books. Most children are comfortable with use of computers and the internet. But, what are they really into on the net after school? Chatting with friends and classmates take up their net time, apart from checking e-mails and looking up vital information for the upcoming school project.
Most are unaware of the correct usage of the internet. Searching for relevant information sometimes needs to be assisted by respective mothers. Most just go for Google results, or stick to wikipedia.
Computer classes are held in every school with outdated syllabii being taught. There is a need for proper usage of the internet also being taught. Some teachers at school give a url for a particular topic being done in class.
Excellent websites exist on the net for students to learn from. Study skills, time management for the student, references, dictionaries, images, slideshows, videos, powerpoint presentations, science projects, communication skills and even language learning sites are user-friendly.
Students can learn to use the net to their advantage in gaining knowledge, besides getting good grades. The only drawback can be overcome by using safe search and children being apprised of rules for internet safety.

HOW FAR SHOULD MY CHILD SIT IN FRONT OF THE COMPUTER?

Computers are an ideal tool for learning through play. Every school insists on computer classes from a very young age. Rhymes and music are played, drawing and painting is encouraged on the computer. Even stories are told using flashcards generated on the computer screen.
A little older child is encouraged to play computer games. At school, the 4th grade upwards are being taught programming languages as well. PowerPoint presentations are common among 5th graders and above. 6th graders are taught to create their own websites as well.
As to the use of internet, all school projects are done carefully after sourcing information from the net. Reference books from the library have taken a back seat . Almost every school going child from 5th upwards has an email-id. They love using computer jargon, especially if their parents do not know, and parents enjoy that.
But, very few educationists lay down guidelines for the child with respect to ergonomics. They are only satisfied in blocking social networking sites and email agents while children surf online in the computer class.
And at home, parents are more eager in providing a computer with internet connection for their wards without verifying the lighting and seating aspects while the child is at the computer.

Essential guidelines to follow

• Computer workstation meant for an adult is not suitable for a child. They may have to look up at a different angle than the parent.
• Investing in a good chair which can be adjusted according to the child's height is recommended.
• The recommended distance between the monitor and the eye for children is between 18 and 28 inches.
• Parents should check for sources of glare by sitting in front of the computer.Windows or other light sources should not be directly visible while at the computer.
• American Optometric Association recommends that children take short breaks of at least 20-seconds for every 20 minutes of computer time.

The Association warns that many children may be developing Computer Vision Syndrome due to prolonged computer use. In addition to vision problems as with the adult, a child spending too much time in front of the computer screen can develop eye discomfort, blurred vision, fatigue and headaches.