From the recording Imagine That! Songs for Creative Teachers
A little cynical, you say? I have witnessed nearly everything in this song first-hand.
Lyrics
Since Computers Have Come to the Schools
1. My classroom is getting a computer!
Oh joyous day! I just can't wait
We’re finally on a roll
We’ll get climate control
Even though it's coming 20 years too late!
For the company that sold us the computers
Stood up to the school and held their ground
If the classroom isn't cool
The machines will find it cruel
And we don't want the poor dears to melt down!
Hooray for the information age!
Think how our lives have improved
Kids and teachers won't be hot
Now computers call the shots
Since computers have come to the schools!
2. They told me that we are getting windows
I said, "Don't paint them shut, I beg of you!"
They said, “No, windows 98,”
I said, “Oh, that's really great
Cause these date back
From prior to World War Two!”
Last night, they did a special cleaning
And vacuumed up each particle of dust
Now we need a new machine
That can only be kept clean
By getting rid of lead and mercury and rust!
Hooray for the information age!
Think how our lives have improved
Now each classroom's clean and bright
So its PCs sleep well at night
Since computers have come to the schools!
3. And business is so public minded
It wants to help our poor schools get ahead
So they donate things quite junky
Their old models, broke and funky
And we thank them, though half the stuff is dead
And since there are no tax breaks to give training
The computers are maintained catch as catch can
So if you’ve got a student
Who can help, it's more than prudent
To exploit them, since there is no other plan!
Hooray for the information age!
Think how our lives have improved
Now the adults are quite clueless
And the kids make us feel foolish
Since computers have come to the schools!
4. And someone has made off with the software
So the kids are playing war games and cards
Or sometimes check the weather
Or watch rappers’ sites together
New behaviors for teachers to deplore!
More computers can be found in the library
Nine are down, there’s really only one
And uses that are wrong
In a list that is quite long
But the uses that are right cannot be done!
Hooray for the information age!
We’re marching ahead, we are no fools
Can’t live with them, nor without them
Sick of trying to learn about ‘em
Now computers have come to the schools!