LETTER:Blair's dream

From Dr J. D. Fox

Sir: Tony Blair conjures up a dream of a computer in every classroom. Why do so many believe in salvation through information technology?

Computers are very useful in many ways, but their impact in education has been mixed. Much software in use is dull, limited and inflexible. In the classrooms, the brainpower, flexibility and creative power of human teachers far outstrip the capacity of computers.

So by all means put more computers in the classroom, Mr Blair. But don't forget to provide training opportunities for teachers, more coursework for students, more time for thinking carefully about how to control IT. For, if we don't, maybe one day we will find it has enslaved us.

Yours faithfully,

Jeremy Fox

School of Modern Languages

and European Studies

UEA Norwich

University of East Anglia

Norwich

4 October