LOGO-L> Re: Popularity of Logo

[mikedoyle@cix.compulink.co.uk (Mike Doyle)]

In-Reply-To: <33CBD782.506A5F8E@mindspring.com>
The 'political incorrectness' of teaching computer language in UK schools 
goes back to the early days of the (Government controlled) 
Microelectronics Education Programme. When computers first entered schools 
there was little software, consequently some kids, mainly boys, started to 
hack around using the BASIC interpreter supplied with the (BBC) computer. 
As this BASIC enabled kids to work in assembler as well they got ut to all 
sorts of interesting things. Unfortunately, primary school teachers know 
nothing of computer language. Hence, they could not teach. When, 
politically, the government wants to 'raise standards' any activity which 
teachers cannot be assessed on cannot be part of the curriculum. Hence, 
the Educational Establishment decreed that the words 'computer language' 
would not appear in the English National Curriculum - even for Information 
Technology. 

How do I know? I have been arguing with this very Establishment for the 
inclusion of the use of computer language in schools since 1987 

To them, the computer is a tool to be used in the Curriculum *as 
appropriate*, which is an interesting position to take with respect to an 
emerging medium.

Micheal O Duill

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