Use of Computers
After reading Dr. Alan Bundys web page, I realized of all the ways we rely on computers in this day and age. Computers and the technology today allow people to receive any type of information in the world right at their fingertips. With all the written information that is in libraries, it seems as though people just skip right over that and head straight for the computer. Itðs as thought they feel that the computer does all the work for them and finds all the information that they need.
Ever since I was in elementary school I was introduced to working with computers. If it was from writing a paper, playing computer games, or using the many resources on the Internet, the computer has always been on my beckoning call. I could never imagine not being able to use the computer and its many possibilities to find information. I was taught at first to be able to find books in the library and to find information out of books, but this was when the Internet was not as popular. Today the very first thing that I would go to help me with a report is the Internet and the computer. Itðs as thought I donðt really remember how to use the library to find a resource I need because I am so used to the computer.
I feel that children today are brought up to much on relying on the Internet and the computer. I think that it would have been more useful if I were taught when I was younger to rely on using resources from the library or by looking it up in books. Even though the Internet was not as big as it is now when I was younger, children should be taught to use books and other resources besides the computer. Itðs as though all they use for their information is the computer. By teaching children just to depend on the use of computers, it makes them lack skills in penmanship, since they use the computer to write all their papers and reports. It also does not allow them to develop skills in revising and spelling because the computer has all those programs all ready in it.
We’re learning simpler ways to do things in our everyday lives. We’re beginning to rely on technology to give us the answers, which is nice. I myself use google and the many other resources that technology provides. Most often you can find my phone in my hands. However, I sometimes feel the need to just open a book or do research the old way. Technology is so useful and I agree that it’s great for everything, but it’s almost brainwashing. We’re constantly relying on it to do most everything for us. Need to find something, just type the description into the search engine and millions of links, videos, articles, pictures, and discussions will appear. Everything we need and need to know is at our
We live in a time where technology is at the center of our society. We use technology on a daily basis, for the simplest tasks, or to aid us in our jobs, and don’t give a second thought to whether these tools are actually helping us. Writers such as Kevin Kelly and Clive Thompson argue that the use of technology actually helps us humans; whiles writers such as Nicholas Carr argue that technology affects people’s abilities to learn information negatively.
The earliest memory of my using a computer comes from when I was around four years-old; my grandmother sat me in front of a clunky, large desktop running off of Windows 95. It was like it was love at first site, and now it feels as if I’ve always had this sort of love-affair with computers. Technology is something that changes every day. From computers to eReaders it’s as if each time we turn the corner, there is some new update waiting to be downloaded or installed. For some this is no issue, yet for others it’s a massive inconvenience. The latter is left wondering why the current generation is so dependent on technology, or why more and more people prefer to read from a Kindle or Nook rather than “old-fashioned” books. For people with these questions, I strongly advise reading “Lazy Eyes” by Michael Agger, as it not only provides information that’s useful and thought-provoking; it manages to be funny at the same time while Sherry Turkle’s “How Computers Change the Way We Think” is dull, dated, and doesn’t provide any sort of helpful information.
“Is Google Making Us Stupid?” by Nicholas Carr and “How Computers Change the Way We Think” by Sherry Turkle are two articles that explore how technology influences our daily lives. “Is Google Making Us Stupid?” discusses the effects of the internet in our society, how it is robbing us of our deep thoughts, memories and our ability to read books. Carr also talks about how the internet has become our primary source of getting information. The writer also discusses about how he’s having difficulty focusing on reading. “How Computers Change the Way We Think” is talking about how people don’t use their brains full potential capacity to solve problems. Instead, we depend on technology to do that for us.
The computer has been one of man’s most influential inventions, paving the way for greater achievements with time. Today, they have become an essential component in fulfilling everyday tasks in both our professional and personal lives. Computers are used to store vast amounts of information, and even replace humans in factories throughout the world. We must now ask ourselves, is this reliance on computers aiding the human mind in achieving its full potential or rather replacing it and hindering our progress? Society is now too dependent on computers. Technology is frequently shifting, and it is altering us in the process. Society is slowly coping with the rapid changes which come with technology. Society cannot continue to remain ignorant of the negative consequences of computers or soon technology will ultimately obliterate us.
When trying to envision the world of today without computers, I imagine that our lifestyles would be extremely different. "As exciting as technological developments may be…it is important to remember that people who lack the skills or the machines to tap into this information are in the same position as those a century ago who could not read or had no access to books" (240). "These new technologies have undoubtedly altered our sense of what it means to be literate" (239). Years ago, being educated simply meant that you could read and write. Today one must go through years of formal schooling to be considered scholarly. This is because, "Our sources of information have become much more diverse than they were even a generation ago," (239).
In this article Nicholas Carr brings up some very valid points and stories. Using the internet for gathering information, reading, and communicating has changed how we think about and process information. The internet has become so fast, efficient, and accessible that people prefer it to traditional means of obtaining information. Carr states that he used to find reading a lengthy book or article easy, but since immersing himself into internet his mind wanders and he cannot seem to concentrate on the text before him. This does seem like a problem, especially if one still values a traditional printed work. Someone who grew up in the age before the internet or at least more recent internet applications, and are sentimental about what they grew up with and how they used to think would find some issue with the world’s current dependency on the internet.
...ng information than the old way of relying on writing it down on paper then later on not being able to remember or read what one has written. We are the new age and the computer is here to stay using all of its gifts including the Gift of fire. So, keep watching keep your head up and stay focused….
In spite of the many benefits of computers, there are also quite a few arguments about them, one of which is the bad effect some believe they are having on children's education and learning. Before computers became really popular where almost every household had one students did research papers manually and used a type writer to type papers or hand write their papers, illiteracy is a big issue, and many people say that computers are the reason for that. Younger students these days are asked to type papers which may not be a problem for older students but for younger students they need to do assignments that are hand written to develop their writing skills. If a younger student is typing all their assignments it can have a great affect on their grammar because they are using the comp...
In David Gelernter’s essay, Computers Cannot Teach Children Basic Skills, he argues that computers are unnecessary in the classroom for children in grades k-12. Gelernter argues that computers should not be used as an educational tool because of ineffective software; they are being overused, and are replacing real teaching. He believes computers are both aiding and hindering our educational system; with supervised computer use and better programs our students will reap the benefits without becoming dependent on the technology. This widespread computer problem is affecting our young students who are our future leaders.
In today’s world, society has become centered on technology. Everywhere you see, people are on their cell phones or handheld tablets. Society nowadays has become unimaginable without electronics, and certainly people have become dependent on their “toys”. Technology has changed aspects of our life and made us more efficient and effective. For instance, there is no need to mail letters like the old days because of e-mails and instant messaging. Additionally, individuals are more organized because of calendars and reminders from their IPhones, cellular devices. However, in today’s society people are more inclined to search up answers on the World Wide Web rather than trying to find out answers via nature. For this reason technology has had a
Computers can be compared to a library, where information is really easy to locate and
the actions of the analytical engine were to be done through the use of punched
Computers are helpful because they offer a wide range of functions and services that are not available anywhere else. There are four main uses: word processing, internet/communications, digital video/audio composition, and desktop publishing. Although one can create a typed paper with a typewriter, the computer has more features
When I become a teacher there is no doubt that I will use computers in my classroom and my students will do activities with computers. It is just the way to do things now. There are so many valuable programs out there to help students learn and to help teachers teach that computers are pretty much a necessity in classrooms. In my opinion for an elementary classroom there should be at least five to ten computers in each room. Without the access to the computers it is hard to take advantage of all the wonderful things a computer has to offer. Even using the internet has a source of information for the students or has a tutorial for students who are struggling. There are so many ways that classrooms will benefit from computers.