[reeckoh]

+1 to offline computer labs. Our primary school had one in the '90s, but they only let us in for an hour or two each week.

The teachers didn't know how to use the computers, and the parents mostly felt that it was a waste of time which would rot our child brains. Still, the school had paid a bunch of money for it as part of an initiative to get rid of the library's card catalog system, so it had to be used.

The teachers tried to convince everyone to play math and typing games, but most kids played with a sort of photoshop-lite program, stuck magnets onto the CRT screens, or played Oregon Trail.

It wasn't an efficient process, but just about everybody in our district was a proficient typist by middle school. When I got to college, I was surprised by how many people typed on their laptops like they type on their phones, with rapid index finger pecks.

[MattDemers]

We figured out pretty quick how to use Windows' internal network messenger, and that was pretty cool (in terms of being able to chat with peers without the teachers knowing).

It still blows my mind that kids are using Chromebooks and Ipads daily on an elementary level.

[Aeolun]

> It still blows my mind that kids are using Chromebooks and Ipads daily on an elementary level.

I saw this recently on an equipment list for first graders. “One iPad and Macbook with specifications in line required by the school”.

Wtf is my first grader going to do with an iPad other than watch Youtube?

[the_only_law]

> , I was surprised by how many people typed on their laptops like they type on their phones, with rapid index finger pecks.

What kind of people do you hang around. I don’t know anyone who commonly uses their index fingers to type on their phone. It’s mostly thumbs.

[reeckoh]

Good question - I'm even typing this with thumbs now!

Thinking back, it was during a time when most phones were small enough to fit comfortably in one small hand. People would hold it with one hand, and use the other to tap.

Modern phones are too heavy and bulky for that, so I think we use both hands to hold and use them. Or maybe the finger-pecking was unrelated to phone use, who knows.