Technology, Revised and Metacommentary

When it comes to the topic of new technology taking over education, most of us will readily agree that it is an advantage to students to be taught with technology. In other words, schools today believe that the more technology they have the better education their students will receive. Where this argument usually ends, however, is with the question of if students are actually smarter today because they were taught with new technology. Whereas some are convinced that electronics fully capture the viewers’ attention and concentration, others maintain that when the technology is turned on in the classroom, “we don’t have to think” (Stoll 46). My point here—that technology is taking over education—should interest those who are educators or students. Beyond this limited audience, however, my point should speak to anyone who cares about the larger issue of the future of education in the world.

Will computers change the way we learn? Shaffer confirms in his article Video Games and the Future of Learning, that “computers are already changing the way we learn—and if you want to understand how, look at video games…they are new ways to learn for a new information age” (Shaffer 1). To put it another way, he says that virtual worlds allow people to interact with information in a new, beneficial way because the knowledge gained coincides with everyday activities. Video games introduce a new method of learning that is not solely based on facts, but rather based on knowledge gained through interaction and experience. Shaffer recognizes that the next step to introducing new technology into the educational system is for teachers to trust them and “follow suit or risk being swept aside” (Shaffer 6).

Video games do teach some things, they are not nearly as effective or inspirational as teachers. Although some might object that you create relationships through video games, a game will not respect you, give you advice, or help you through your life problems, but a teacher will. For example, I was taught to read from a computer game, but my teachers perfected those skills and presented them to me in real life situations. Although the computer game was helpful, it could not solely teach me how to read, I needed the support and interaction of a real human being to help me with my individual reading struggles. Video games aren’t specialized for each individual, therefore if a student struggles in one area that the game does not focus on, they are not able to ask it questions or receive extra help from the game like they could from a teacher. This issue of technology being overused is important because it affects knowledge and social skills of future generations, and we need to fight for a balance between technology and teachers, otherwise the future minds of our children are in jeopardy.

“From an educational perspective, computers often do kids more harm than good…in fact, a great school doesn’t need them” (Stoll 46) Stoll insists in his article Who Needs Computers. School systems around the United States are now becoming wired and providing students each with their own computer, believing this enhances their students’ educations. Technology can have a positive effect on education as long as it is used in moderation. For instance, using blogs to promote interaction between classroom writers allows writers to compare their writings and feed off of other’s techniques. In addtion, I find that some graphics and examples on video or in virtual worlds can be easier to remember than from a lecture given by a teacher. Essentially I am arguing that both new and traditional forms of teaching methods are more effective if alternated, eliminating a loss in students’ concentrations. Stoll reports that a large percentage of students will pretend like they are taking notes on their laptops during class, but are actually checking their e-mail or playing on-line games. Furthermore, computers promote a copy-and-paste attitude that encourages plagiarism, something that stunts creativity in writing. Stoll concluded, “I’m furious to see the debasement of learning by technology…our finest weapons are books and libraries” (Stoll 49).