Inbox

Learning Your APPs

Great story (" 'A' Is for App"). I found it so fascinating that kids as young as 3 are discovering technology; the breadth of what they're doing is amazing. Plus, the piece delves into how these apps and computers can work with teachers and parents, not as a substitute.

Rachel Kramer Bussel
New York, New York

Fantastic that these children can interact and learn from a smartphone, but will they be able to interact with one another? We adults, too, are quickly losing our ability to interact in a civil manner, or have rational discussions or conversations.

Lisa Springborn-Norris
Des Plaines, Illinois

Bravo for exploring the possible role of technology in education, but why did you focus only on small not-for-profits? There are lots of fast companies building great education applications, selling them into schools, and reinvesting their profits in further development. Because they have sustainable business models and they do outcomes research, they have long-term impact. Some great examples include Lexia and Headsprout in reading, and Symphony in math. Why isn't Fast Company writing about companies that do well by doing good?

Jon Bower
Wayland, Massachusetts

As a high-school teacher, I am concerned that Americans will soon have to choose to invest on a national scale so that these potentially revolutionary educational technologies will reach all children, including those in the poorest areas, in order to remain competitive in the global information economy. Economic inequality can make it difficult for some school systems to purchase and adopt expensive educational tools.

Anthony Vitale
Merrick, New York

I was struck by the linkage between "The Birth of a Sticky Idea" and " 'A' Is for App." Voracious consumption of sugary soft drinks complements the sedentary lifestyle encouraged by a proliferation of digital devices designed to have us sit and stare -- our fingers are the last things moving. I've been a martial-arts instructor for 15 years and bemoan the ever-growing percentage of children that literally tip the scales after years of snacking and sitting in front of a screen. If we don't get our children moving soon, in 20 years, we'll have a population full of digitally literate diabetics. At least they'll be able to manage their electronic medical records.

Joe Friedlander
Hazen, North Dakota

We may well be witnessing an educational revolution, but this transformation creates challenges that will have to be dealt with. To what extent will children become dependent on technology? How will they cope with information overload? What about the kind of creativity that doesn't come from using technology, but from a clear mind and a mindful way of relating to the world at large?

Christine Maingard
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Turn Up the Volume

Your knowledge of the world of podcasts ("Pod Star") overlooks one major source of free, high-quality, and zero-commercial-content podcasts: the BBC. Remember, we're globalized now, so we don't have to listen to droning ads on podcasts, or loudmouths like Adam Carolla. We can instead get this content all legal and free of charge and free of commercials. The world will always have its fools and it's mainly these punters who will be suckered into paying.

Stephen Cloughley
Yardley, Pennsylvania