HAMBURG (dpa) – They have names like “Ultra Slim” and “Junior Flash” and look deceptively similar to their bigger brothers, with one major difference – their users tend to age from six to ten.
While many kids find their introduction to the world of computers on their parents’ PCs, some manufacturers are targeting tots with special hardware for those first steps into the digital world.
It is not a matter of forcing technology on children, insists product manager Christian Deutschbein from the German firm Ravensburger in the face of concerns among some parents and teachers.
“Nowadays computers are such a part of daily life that we can’t imagine being without them. For this reason, we feel a child-friendly introduction to the complexities of the PC world makes a lot of sense.”
PCs tailored to kids differentiate themselves from normal computers largely through the guidance they provide their users. Educational computers are usually portable and are equipped with educational software appropriate for the child’s age.
This means there’s a focus on the playful aspects of learning. Equipment like a mouse and e-mail programme as well as basic word processors are intended to acquaint the little ones slowly with the use of a PC.
Ravensburger’s “Champion PC Ultra Slim,” for example, offers eight-year-olds a selection of 60 programmes.
The word processor is similar to those from Microsoft, an English translator helps with homework, and math games are intended to help with memorization. The programme selection process is similar to that with Windows.
U.S.-based manufacturer VTech (www.vtechkids.com) has several miniature computers intended for children ages 3 and up.
A European model PC, the 9009 XL, offers 142 learning and entertainment applications. Given its extra flat casing, it looks very much like its big brother.
Further functions, such as email, electronic homework help, and the so-called Magi Cam, which allows children to take and manipulate photos on the PC, are all intended to make this laptop especially versatile and fun.
With kid PCs, as with normal computers, each model represents a step forward technically.
“The development is leading to ever newer and more modern communication possibilities,” says VTech spokeswoman Susanne Donalies.
This means, for example, that the “NetStar D” from the Brainstation series offers even six-year-olds the chance to download data from the Internet.
Not everyone is thrilled with the PCs geared toward kids. Professor Hans Brueglermann, pedagogical researcher at the Germany’s University of Siegen, sees the PCs as simply as a new marketing technique.
“Children don’t need any special devices. It’s much more important that the parents work together with their children, not which tool they stick in front of them.”
Bruegelmann is, among others, responsible for the development and testing of educational software for elementary school children. Since 1987, he has researched how children in primary grades work on PCs.
Children can easily learn computing on their parents’ PC if some minor changes are made to accommodate them, according to his report.
But most importantly, the professor of education admonishes, a computer must not replace a babysitter. It’s not so important any more just how long a child busies himself with a PC.
“Even if it is for hours at a time in the beginning, the interest will fall away after several days,” Bruegelmann relates from his own experience.
Ultimately, the decision to acquire a special PC designed just for children is also a question of money. These computers typically cost anywhere from 50 to 250 dollars, in addition to at least that much again for each of the educational programmes used.
