A critique of In Defense of Laptops in the Classroom
To use or not to use? The long standing debate on the usage of laptops in the modern day classroom has been controversial. Rebecca Schuman, an education columnist for online-based US magazine Slate, shared her thoughts through the article “In Defense of Laptops in the Classroom”. Schuman’s profession as an adjunct lecturer makes her a suitable writer regarding the issue. The intention of her article is clear: to convince readers that students should be allowed to use laptops in class. She has been effective in her use of metaphors as well as providing workable solutions to the issue. However, the presence of an over-generalisation statement undermines her article.
Firstly, Schuman’s use of metaphors injects clarity to her argument. “Wagging your umbrella at an encroaching tidal wave” (Para 5) paints a clearer picture when readers likened banning of laptops as a futile attempt similar to using an umbrella to block off a large wave. Likewise, she mentioned that students with laptops in large lectures are like “wearing a sign on your head that says “I’ll be spending the next hour shopping for shoes”” (Para 8). Readers will infer that students definitely will be using their laptops for other purposes in lectures. Metaphors allow readers to correlate the argument with another situation to obtain a more thorough understanding of Schuman’s view.
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She proceeded on to describe how she tapped into technology to engage her students. This is highly appealing to readers as she is utilizing her experience as a professor to provide insights into the situation. As a result, the solidity of her argument is boosted by her professional
Over the past few decades technology has advanced quite a bit. The use of calculators, computers, and other techniques in many fields has increased significantly. In a large scale, technology is replacing the method of instruction in the field of education. Many people believe that adopting technology in learning process can increase productivity. However, David Gelernter, who is a professor at Yale University as well as a leading figure in the field of technology, suggests to limit the use of technology in the classroom in his article “Unplugged: The Myth of Computers in the Classroom” which was published in the New Republic magazine in 1994. In this article he offers well illustrated analysis which makes the readers to regulate the use of technology in the classroom. He thinks that the technology comes in a way of building strong foundation of basic skills. He insists that computers should be used to aid the learning process, not to replace cognitive thinking.
In addition, textbooks are heavy to carry around and it takes longer to find a page. Likewise with digital textbooks they are compatible with tablets, smartphones, and laptops; it’s much easier to carry around and affordable price. However, some people may argue that digital textbooks can be a distraction for people because they would not bother read anymore. The author and poet Dana Gioia argues that electronics alternatives may be a bad influence that will lead society to not read anymore. Gioia complicates matters further when she writes, “While no single activity is responsible for the decline in reading, the cumulative presence and availability of electronic alternatives increasingly have drawn Americans away from reading” (161). I think Gioia is mistaken because she overlooks on electronics being a bad influence; but doesn’t see the benefits of electronics. To demonstrate, most of my textbooks are digital, which I can easily carry my tablet around where ever I go. Also, I save more money on digital textbooks and are simple to annotated the text. Journalist Ellen Lee interview a student from Liberty University, and he states that he prefers digital textbooks because he can tap his iPad, opens the digital copy and quickly open the page. Nevertheless, he also like digital textbooks because it has a feature that allows to highlight and mark the
Together they work together as a whole in order to persuade his audience of those involved in technology. Carr uses these strategies in order to back up his information and validate his point. Carr begins by using pathos by stating an anecdote from the movie A Space Odyssey, then he uses logos by stating factual evidence and statistics, lastly Carr uses ethos by stating appropriate vocabulary and conceding to opposition. Throughout the article Carr compares the past and present and how the Internet has changed not only himself, but also people. In order to show his credibility, Carr uses research and examples of other credible writers who have the same beliefs as he does on the Internet. Due to the article being lengthy in text we are able to assume that Carr does that on purpose in order to validate his point that the Internet is affecting our mind as it shortens our attention span and ability to think creatively. The purpose of the excerpt is to persuade his audience of those involved in technology that people in the society today are unable to have complete focus on a longer text due to the Internet causing us to artificial intelligence. For this purpose, Carr develops an influential tone for his audience
Media technology is helpful in so many ways; on the other hand, it can be disruptive too. In the article “Why I Just Asked My Students to Put Their Laptops Away,” Professor Clay Shirky claims that students are not able to focus on the lesson and easily get distracted with their laptops, leading him to ban the use of technology devices in his classroom. Similarly, in article “Our Photoshopping Disorder,” fashion reporter Erin Cunningham addresses the topic about the use of photoshopped images in advertisements creating unrealistic standards causing harm to people’s health and well-being. Both article oppose the bad habits that people get by using media technology. Shirky and Cunnignham completely agree in their assessment
David Gelernter author of the essay, “Unplugged: The Myth of Computers in the Classroom,” used some rhetorical appeals but not many in his essay, whilst trying to logically persuade his audience that computers could be utilized in the classroom, but under certain stipulations. Gelernter has great credibility for speaking on education and technology, as he is a professor of computer science at Yale University, so he more than anyone should know the outcomes of using a computer as a tool while teaching. However, when it comes to technology a lot of older generations usually are pretty biased when discussing technologies advancements, Gelernter still had some very good points! Using computers while teaching our young children can be useful but with strict moderations; when, where, and why, because if not heavily monitored, computers could be extremely detrimental to the learning experience and processes for many students.
Technology, one of the fastest growing industry in the world right now, it is also a characteristic that define how well and smart a country is. Simply because the ability and potential to accomplish great things that make technology really important, all this is proved through the fact that technology change the way people do things in every major, from nursing to even heavy manufacturing in factory. And there is no different in school, technology is used in student every day’s life, the most common device that every school have is computer. Computer is a powerful device that change the way student study completely, it make study more interesting, easy to understand and also allow students to do more things with their creativity.
Many people argue that by using laptops during lectures, students are able to actively participate in the class and they have better communication with the professors despite large class sizes (Fried, 2008, p.2). Through classroom resources such as university and course online platforms, students are able to access the information they are learning about in their lectures. However, students themselves also have a very particular view on this topic, as they are very protective over their belongings and do not want to have their laptops banned from the classroom: “more and more faculty are banning laptops from their classrooms because of perceptions that they distract students and detract from learning,” (Fried, 2008, p.1). Prohibiting the use of laptops in university classrooms is becoming a more common solution to multitasking and student distraction. Universities enforce this regulation in order to prevent distraction and multitasking from impacting a students and surrounding student’s academic
With the rapid growth of technology in America’s society today, the use of computers in school classrooms has increased tremendously—an action that certainly has become beneficial to students, educators, and parents. The use of computers has positively skyrocketed over the past ten years. Not only are computers utilized daily in large companies across the world, but the everyday use in classrooms has also become prevalent. Using modern technology to assist school instructors with his or her daily lessons should definitely be regarded as a positive, acceptable method of instruction and not definitely does not prohibit students from understanding or critical thinking.
The development of technology in this country has been significant to the daily lives of Americans today. In the twenty-first century, one of the greatest accomplishments of technology is the use of laptops. People, such as students, are facing the fact that laptops have made their lives easier. Some colleges and universities have allowed that each student bring their personal laptops with internet connectivity to class while others believe they easily weaken the learning abilities of students instead of promoting and increasing learning in the classroom. Although personal laptops in the classroom have numerous advantages, there have also been frequent complaints from professors because laptops hinder with learning, and as a result should be banned from bringing them into the classroom since laptops can easily distract students, not every student can afford purchasing a laptop, and would prevent students from cheating or plagiarizing.
"Alan Kay has remarked that had Vannevar Bush enjoyed working in all-night coffee shops, he would have invented the portable computer." (Press, 1993, p.31)
We all know technology is changing everyday. As laptops are becoming more popular in today 's society, especially in a college classroom setting, professors have noticed more and more students with their faces engaged on the computer screen and not the lecture. There have been recent studies that show in classroom use of laptops can affect students and their learning. Should the use of laptops be banned in the classroom?
Does technology changes the way society functions? In the society we live in today, technology is used for everything. No matter if we are checking our e-mail or checking the weather. Computers are the most used technology. Many people use computers for work or school. Some seem to think that computers can be a huge distraction at either work or school. Like everything else there are pros and cons when it comes to using computers in class. There can be a lot of pros when using computers in class it just depends on if a teacher or student knows how to use it. Although many people believe that using computers in class is a huge distraction, there are many positive outcome of using computers in school. Using
Technology has allowed students, teachers, and parents to access unlimited resources instantly. The ease of access to school services and materials helps students in many ways. Redd makes a good point stating that “Many of these mobile devices are characterized as miniature classroom computers that allow students to partake in the ‘anytime, anywhere’ learning movement” (30). Students today use all types of electronic devices to do the unimaginable. The internet is a portal for students to connect to everything around the world giving them instantaneous access to resources. Imagine going throughout a day without the aid of technology, it detracts the learning process and limits accessibility. Students find it easier to access coursework, “Some said they were reluctant to use mobile phone functions such as SMS texting and information downloads for course-related activities” (Moule 61). Technology is always being implicated through day to day life situations. Student’s instantaneous access to unlimited resources...
...ass. School administrators should remember not to force technology into their curriculum unless they are confident in the student 's ability to learn and correctly recall information presented. When students have no desire to learn and are given tools to distract themselves technology hurts them, or rather their test scores, more than students who learn with book or oral based teaching because the absence of distraction. Computers and iPads are very difficult to repair or replace compared to books, and because most people are not yet “technologically literate” enough to perform basic tasks for the maintenance of their computer, then it would just be easier to use books. These issues create question as to if students are ready for classes to require computer knowledge when some have difficulty learning the material as it has always been learned for thousands of years.
Long ago, people were simple and didn’t have many technologies. They used to take so much time in planning their projects, researching, and saving and recording their studying. Look around, this world changed a lot. There are cars, airplanes, computers, and many other technologies. Technology can be found everywhere, and we use depend on it a lot. One of the most important technologies is computers and laptops. Many people use them today in their daily lives and it eases many things for them.