School Without Computers: Innovation or Relic of the Past?

In the 21st century, it's hard to imagine an educational institution without a single computer. Computers and various devices significantly simplify the work of students, allowing them to save time and complete tasks with less effort. The widespread use of computers is considered a standard in today's society, making the absence of computers in one of the most progressive schools in the United States surprising at the least.

However, at Waldorf of the Peninsula, a school where children of Silicon Valley corporate employees study, the complete avoidance of technology is explained simply: the educational process is primarily about a symbiosis of creativity, attentiveness, and human relationships. Extensive use of computers hinders individual's ability to think creatively and find new ways to solve scientific and life problems.

Paul Thomas, who extensively researched this issue and child education in general, claims that the less we use computers in education, the better it is for students. They should primarily gain valuable experience and draw conclusions independently, think critically, and analyze situations. Moreover, technologies suppress a child's emotional sphere, affecting their interactions with peers and parents.

By sending their children to Waldorf of the Peninsula, founders and employees of the world's largest IT companies are confident that their offspring will receive an excellent education, enabling them to become outstanding professionals and well-rounded individuals in the future. Parents believe that due to their own tech knowledge, they can teach their children how to use computers and other devices at any time, eliminating the issue of students' computer literacy.

Students at the school do not consider the absence of computers a major drawback. On the contrary, they are confident that they can learn technology at any time since software these days is designed to be user-friendly for people of all ages and social backgrounds.

Students at Waldorf of the Peninsula try to use computers as little as possible even at home. They get upset when they see their friends and relatives surrounded by various devices. They emphasize the importance of valuing face-to-face human interaction, as excessive fascination with technology often hinders people from paying attention to each other.

This school demonstrates high levels of education, intelligence, and creative abilities among its students, making it one of the most progressive in the United States. Perhaps in the near future, such educational institutions will emerge in European countries as well.