I would have to agree that there is an educational value to having
computers in the classroom, provided the use is truly educational. Some
of the technological advances are merely "cute" things that computers
can do. For instance, the internet may provide the user with a variety
of sources for information but it is hardly as useful as a dual speed cd
Rom with an encyclopedia. Multi-media cdroms can provide information so
much faster and images can be down loaded to be included in student's
"electronic" reports. The internet is slow and all too often a search
takes many, many tries. I know of educators that spend too much time
exploring the novelties of the WWW. If I need information about a given
subject Ill look it up in my old World Book.
One other thought I have regarding technology. If anyone has read the
book by Jerry Mander _In The Absence Of The Sacred_ (The failure of
technology and the survival of the Indian nations) it is worth reading
and worth discussing it's contents. (Same author wrote _
Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television_ ) Below is a quote
from the book:
"Modern technology advanced in such tiny increments for so long that we
never realized how much our world was being altered, or the ultimate
direction of the process. But now the speed of change is accelerating
logarithmically. It is apparent that developing a language and set of
standards by which to assess technological impact, and to block it where
necessary, is a critical survival skill of our times".
Thoughts anyone??
Dan
* CMPQwk #1.42* Only unregistered because they lost my check and I have
been waiting for word for over 2 months! Know of any better Qwk readers
for windows??
--- GEcho 1.11+
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* Origin: The South Bay Forum - Olympia, WA (360) 923-0866 (1:352/256)
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