Over the past few decades, technology has advanced significantly. The use of calculators, computers, and other techniques in many fields has increased. On a large scale, technology is replacing traditional methods of instruction in the field of education. Many people believe that adopting technology in the learning process can increase productivity. However, David Gelernter, a professor at Yale University and a leading figure in the field of technology, suggests limiting the use of technology in the classroom in his article “Unplugged: The Myth of Computers in the Classroom,” published in the New Republic magazine in 1994. In this article, he offers a well-illustrated analysis that encourages readers to regulate the use of technology in the classroom. He believes that technology can get in the way of building a strong foundation of basic skills and insists that computers should aid the learning process, not replace cognitive thinking. Gelernter admits that computers are helpful for educational purposes if used wisely. He suggests, “Computers have the potential to accomplish great things. With the right software, they could help make science tangible or teach neglected topics like art and music” (278). While admitting the power of technology, he also points out the adverse effects of excessive use of technology in the education system. He states, “Computers make our worst educational nightmare come true” (279). According to him, improper or overuse of computers hinders learning ability. He reports that over the past few years, computers have been assumed to be a necessity in America’s classrooms and introduced to children from elementary levels. However, technology can be addictive, and students may overuse it, leading to a drop in educational standards. Gelernter disagrees with the comment made by a school principal, “Drilling addition and subtraction in an age of calculators is a waste of time” (279). He reveals the bitter truth that American students are not fully prepared for college because they have poorly developed basic skills. In contrast, he comments, “No wonder Japanese kids blow the pants off American kids in math” (280). He provides information from a Japanese educator that in Japan, kids are not allowed to use calculators until high school. Due to this, Japanese kids build a strong foundation of basic math skills, which makes them perform well in mathematics.
I liked that the article was on using graphing calculators in the classroom. I also liked that the article provided information on three specific teachers using graphing calculators. The study detailed what these teachers thought about technology as well as ways they used technology in their classrooms. I liked that I was given examples of real teachers using the graphing calculator in real classrooms. The article provided a refreshing view of technology, as it did not demand teachers use the graphing calculator every day in the classroom. However, the study showed it is best to use the graphing calculator only when it is beneficial to student learning. I would recommend this article to others. Many teachers have a negative connotation of calculators. However, this article helps demonstrate how calculators can be used for good in the classroom. The article demonstrates that, when used appropriately, the graphing calculators can aid student learning. The article would definitely be beneficial for all mathematics teachers to
Lastly, Gelernter states that the problem is much broader than multimedia and hypermedia, but also calculators. In Japan, calculators aren’t used until high school because teachers want to strengthen students’ mental abilities. Gelernter states that calculators lead to the philosophy that “drilling addition and subtraction…is a waste of time”. He states that if this is true, than by not enforcing simple math skills, students’ mental abilities cannot develop
As people continually live their lives, they will always progressively get better at everything. Nobody moves to the next step in anything without accomplishing the previous step. It is crucial for every learner to understand and take in the information, in the correct order at hand. Many people would agree that kids in today’s world, are becoming better learners and thinkers due to more efficient technology. However, many other individuals, including David Gelernter, believe that this is actually reducing the education system in the United States. This is due from students skipping steps in the learning process because children can quickly and easily get answers instead of making the student work towards the answer.
Our world is changing gradually bringing these changes into people’s daily life styles; consequently, a person’s potential to embrace these challenges and revolutionize with them has become an important factor to analyze people’s way to prepare themselves for the future. According to Gilbert Valdez, educational technology, especially computers and computer-related peripherals, have grown tremendously and have permeated all areas of our lives. It is incomprehensible that anyone today would argue that banks, hospitals, or any industry should use less technology. Most young people cannot understand arguments that schools should limit technology use. For them, use of the Internet, for example, plays a major role in their relationships with their friends, their families, and their schools. Teens and their parents generally think that use of the Internet enhances the social life and academic work of teenagers. Nonetheless, not all people has the possibility of changing towards a technological society due to the lack of personal progress through technology, and the misunderstanding of this tool is leading future professionals to become technologically dependant; in other words to rely only on technology without considering the possible consequences that it might have on future professionals development and their educational background. The overuse of educational technology has been growing over the recent years due to the emergent technological developments around the world; however, it can be solved by searching for a new balance between the uses of technology within education.
Gelernter has very straight forward honest facts which help to accurately explain his views on using technology to teach students. Computers can be a very useful tool when used in moderation. A computer should never replace a teacher however, but simply be used as a tool. I think the author’s rhetorical situation provided great facts, and hard evidence which strongly supported his argument. How can we continue to evolve as a species when we solely rely on technology and do not think for ourselves, but instead type in our questions in google expecting an answer? We simply cannot, as he states in his essay, “While we worry about basic skills, we allow into the classroom software that will do a student’s arithmetic or correct his spelling” (Gelernter
He states: “Over the last decade an estimated $2 billion has been spent on more than 2 million computers for America’s classroom.”(Gelernter 97) Gelernter starts his article by giving a data about computer to shows how much money people spends computer in school. By giving a legitimate fact right from the beginning of his article, Gelernter easily get his audience attention and make them little more interested in what he is going to say about how computers can make a big impact in everyone’s life. And this fact itself works as proof to prove to his audience that the topic he is talking about is realistic because they are not debatable; they represent the truth. Gelernter also uses logos to prove his point about how calculators make student forget about their basic math skills. Gelernter says, “In Kentucky, as The Wall Street Journal recently reported, students in grades K-3 are mixed together regardless of age in relaxed environment. It works great, the Journal says. Yes, scores on computation tests have dropped 10 percent at one school.”(98) The author did his research and see that using calculator in such young age can really affect student, calculators make student have a lower grade than average even though it supposed to help students in the first place. He continues his argument by comparing Japanese kids and American kids and how Japanese kids are so much better in math than American
In the article, “ Project Classroom Makeover” by Cathy Davidson, she explains to her readers why she believes that technology has the power to influence and change formal education for the better. She also emphasizes that the archaic education system and way of learning fails to benefit today’s 21st century student who is more exposed to the digital world. Davidson’s successful experimentation with the ipod technology at Duke University as a learning tool proved her point that technology can be effective in today’s formal educational system and it’s the key to the future. Although humans are hesitant in trying and accepting new things, people are becoming more flexible in their views on technology because they are curious about it’s future potential uses and
Since the 1980’s calculator use in the classroom has been a huge controversy between educators (Golden, 2000). It is becoming increasingly common to use calculators in the classroom on a regular basis. Some states allow students to use calculators on standardized tests and as part of the regular curriculum (Dion, 2001). Because we live in such a technologically changing world, hand held calculators have been far surpassed and can be purchased for as low as $4.00 each. This low price however, has not swayed the many people that believe calculators are not appropriate in the classroom.
Technology forms the most vital element of life in the world today. Every aspect of our lives is dominated by technology and its importance in our lives is indispensable. One of the outstanding facts about technology use in schools is its controversial nature. There is no common agreement by stakeholders in technology and educations sectors about the use of technology in schools. There are two different factions, one supporting use of technology as a positive aspect, while the other faction disagrees, citing the detrimental effects of technology in students. However, the use of technology in classrooms catering for children continues to increase, as education develops more interesting ways of enhan...
Some say that technology is a distraction and hinders the students from fully learning and developing important skills that they claim only the interactions with the teacher can provide. Teachers have said that technology is a powerful tool that allows them to introduce and demonstrate learning activities in a completely new way. It has been studied and proven that most kids are more motivated and interested in the concepts they are supposed to learn when the teaching tool of technology is used. A fifth grade teacher stated, “Technology is the ultimate carrot for students. It's somet...
Throughout history technology has been the driving force of change. From movable type, to television, to the Internet, technology has been embraced and incorporated into our daily lives. Within the constructs of civilized society, the vast rewards of technological innovations have far outweighed the negatives. The digital revolution has altered conceptions of time and distance. It has created a wealth of information that is available at the stroke of a key. Not since the invention of the printing press has the distribution and consumption of information been so democratized. The rapidly changing technological landscape has put students and teachers in the cross-hairs. Can students be positively impacted by this digital revolution? Has the wave of technology that has swept through in recent years improved teaching and learning in the classroom? Utilizing various research tools such as Boise State University's Albertsons Library database, Google Scholar, and other online tools to access peer-reviewed journals, this paper will demonstrate that technology in the classroom results in increased student performance. great intro, Evan. -Barbara Schroeder 5/6/10 7:51 AM
The first explanation for the efficiency of teacher training in using technology in classrooms to students lies on the effective influence of computer science on students’ motivation and improvement. It is said that in the last century, despite the rapid invasion of technology into human life and a huge of money spent on instructional technology in schools, there is no significant improvement in education has been witnessed (Zhao and Frank, 2003, p. 807-840). However, researchers have uncovered the myths of such phenomenon and asserted that technology, on the other hand, has a great impact on students and teacher performance in schools worldwide. As Mundy et al. (2012) points out thanks to the introduction of technology in the classroom, never have before students’ skills as wel...
... computers are a great invention if used with discretion. I use a computer almost every single day to aid me with homework, chat with friends, or even entertain myself by watching a movie or playing a game. I find computers to be a stress-reliever, a ‘gateway to another world’ where one can be whoever they want if they find that they’ve had a bad day at school or work. While I support this positive attitude towards computers everyday, I find, in myself even, that I’ve become slightly addicted, causing me to not get as much sleep as needed or allowing me to do my homework without distraction. Overall, however, I’ve found computers have made me more knowledgeable, even if not pertaining specifically to school and that they’ve prepared me for a future where computer use will be inevitable.
...ous basis for instruction and assessment (Calculators: Good or Bad). Calculators have become a part of our curriculum and students need to be taught how to properly use the technology as our world continues to become a more efficient place.
Technology properly used in the classroom has many advantages to a student’s learning. Technology can help students become more involved in their own learning process, which is not seen in the traditional classroom. It allows them to master basic skills at their own rate rather than being left behind. Teachers and students alike can connect to real life situations by using technology in the classroom; this can also help to prepare students for real world situations. Technology can be used to motivate students as well as to offer more challenging opportunities. It can also be used as a visualization tool to keep students interested in the subject that is being taught. When technology is used effectively, students have the opportunity to develop skills that they may not get without the use of technology (Cleaver, 2011). Assessing and monitoring students is easier on the teacher because of the ability to use technology in the classroom. When technology is used correctly it offers limitless resources to a classroom atmosphere.