To the Point
Is the Internet Making School Kids Experts or Idiots?
In the Age of the Internet, school districts are laying off librarians. Is that an appropriate way to save money, or will it deprive kids of the critical skills they need to assess and evaluate a welter of information? Also, threats and vandalism over the healthcare bill, and new guidelines for "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
By Warren Olney • • 50m ListenIn the Age of the Internet, school districts are laying off librarians. Is that an appropriate way to save money, or will it deprive kids of the critical skills they need to assess and evaluate a welter of information? Also, threats and vandalism over the healthcare bill, and new rules will make it harder to discharge gays and lesbians from the military. Will they pave the way to abandoning "Don't Ask, Don't Tell?"
Banner image: Students work on their laptops during class August 31, 2001 at the Discovery Charter School in Tracy, California Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
In this episode
3 storiesHealthcare Bill Leads to Violence
Today, the Congress and Senate are trying to finalize healthcare reform. Last night, more than 100 House Democrats met with Capitol Police and the FBI to voice concern over recent threats and vandalism. Ohio Democrat Steve Driehaus blames Republican rhetoric.
Read the story8 minIs the Internet Making School Kids Experts or Idiots?
Almost every American student in K through 12 now has access to a computer. But public school districts are desperately short of money. What do they do in the Internet Age? They lay off librarians. Internet-savvy kids can do research on Google, but who's teaching them how to cull through that mass of information to separate fact from fiction?
Read the story36 minPentagon Relaxes Enforcement of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'
Calling it a matter of "common sense and common decency," Defense Secretary Robert Gates today approved new rules making it harder to discharge gays and lesbians from the armed services. "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" dates back to the Clinton Administration in 1973.
Read the story7 min
