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Unplugged: the myth of computers in the classroom by David Gelernter
unplugged: the myth of computers in the classroom
Unplugged: the myth of computers in the classroom by David Gelernter
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The Truth 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. …show more content…
David Gelernter in his article “Unplugged: The Myth of Computers in the Classroom” effectively uses two rhetorical devices of logos and ethos to persuade his audience that uncontrolled and irresponsible use of computer can lead to the decline of literacy and the lack of …show more content…
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
...o get attracted by easy and quick ways of learning things. If the technology provides easy and attractive solutions to students, they will get addicted to it and overuse it in ways which can certainly drop the educational standards. Gelernter disagrees with the comment made by a school principle, “Drilling addition and subtraction in an age of calculators is a waste of time.” (279). He revels the bitter truth where American students are not fully prepared for college because they have poorly developed basic skills. In contrast to this reality, he comments, “No wonder Japanese kids blow the pants of American kids in math.” (280). He provides the information from Japanese educator that in Japan, kids are not allowed to use calculators till high school. Due to this, Japanese kids build strong foundation of basic math skills which make them perform well in mathematics.
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
In this text, the author explores the role that technology currently plays in schools and in education in general, as well as future consequences that will occur depending on whether society continues to insist on a type of education that is relatively lacking in technology or decides to embrace the options available whole-heartedly. There are both gains...
He explains that computers give answers to too easily and that the child should work towards the answer themselves. Gelernter goes on in his essay and discusses the three main problems with computers in classrooms. The first issue is the steady decline of reading. Gelernter says that “The idea of multimedia is to combine text, sound and pictures in a single package that you browse on the screen” (Gelernter 1). What he’s saying is that multimedia is a mix of word, sound and picture that when put together, turns into a video. Students will start to consider watching videos as a prime option instead of reading out of books. The second problem is the further development of bad speaking skills. Gelernter uses hypermedia as an example, by turning a book on a screen into hypertext. This hypertext will make the reader focus on the words of the story, instead of the actual story. Writers don’t simply put words on paper; they think long and hard about their word choices. The issue with using
Having been a teacher when technology began to wire its way into the classroom, Sherry Turkle encompasses her unique perspective into her article “How Computers Change the Way We Think.” Turkle claims that technology changes the way we perceive information and that it compels people to prioritize “face value” over content. First, she argues that computers change our perspective of the world around us and how we process it. To support this claim she mentions a student’s argument that equates a freudian slip to a “computer error or power surge.” In addition, she references students her colleagues have worked with not being able to grasp a concept of scale or do “back of the envelope” math. She uses her credibility as an appeal, citing her personal experiences in the classroom. Next Turkle argues that powerpoint has made people look more at the “face value” than content. She
Technology plays a very important role in today’s society. Everyone has a smart phone and we crave the latest and greatest televisions, computers, cell phones and tablets. Some of these include iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, Samsung Smart TVs, Samsung Smart watches and the new Google Glass. More and more schools are using technology in their teaching methods including our own one-to-one program at Oxon Hill High School where each student received a Samsung Google Chromebook. Technology should be used in school’s curriculum and instruction because of improved communication, innovations to come and convenience to both the students and the teachers.
In source E author David Gelernet says, “It’s as if the Administration were announcing that every child must have the fanciest scuba gear on the market-but these kids don’t know how to swim…” Students nowadays are so spoiled, receiving every bit of the new gadgets without having the proper understandings of education. As the metaphors are being used in his statement, the phrases Mr. Gelernet states “the fanciest scuba gear” representing technology, and “these kids don’t know how to swim” as an indication towards not understanding how to be educated. “…the web is a propaganda machine for short attention spans.” which demonstrates how the internet controls the decisions students make without a physical force. As a result, anytime a child is bored in class or with the lesson that is on the technological device, the student is able to click on something else without the teachers’ knowledge. The learner gains a show to watch during class as the parents watch a grade drop tremendously.
In the article “Technology in the Classroom: Beginnings and Endings”, Mary Ann Matras suggests that, “The pencil is still the most efficient tool”. Many people will agree with her argument because students have learned that way for many years and it has worked. It is also a common fact that when a person writes something down with a pen or pencil they are more likely to remember the information rather than typing it. Author, Mary Ann Matras continues to explain more about why the pencil is a powerful tool, ” When a student can use a pencil to do a calculation faster than and as well as, he or she can do it with a computer or calculator, then the tool for the job should be the pencil,” Mary Ann Matras states. Another issue that classrooms have with technology is that it takes away class time. If a student can do their work as fast as a computer than they don’t need the computer, it is better for them to work it out by themselves. Also, if it takes the same amount of time as writing with a pencil does than a pencil is a better
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.
Not many people would argue that computer technology is bad for the K-12 classroom. There is, however, a serious and thought-provoking debate going on regarding computer technology in the classroom. At issue is to what extent and at what age should computers be integrated in American classrooms. There is no question that a certain level of technology will bring improvements in academic achievement. In one study on children of low socioeconomic status a definite improvement was seen. It was noted that, “Increasing the technology available to students encourages, facilitates, and supports student achievement – at the elementary level, the most profound effects were found in the area of mathematics” (Page 391). Page also states that, “numerous studies have demonstrated that young children’s self-esteem or self-concept directly affects their academic performance” (Page 391).
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...
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.
Technology, either in form or gadgets in form of media or internet, if used properly can make big differences to make education learning far better than its current standards. Technology helps you in making things easier; everything is under your finger tips. It saves your time, you can more in less time, a finish a book you need hours or may be days, search the same thing on internet you fin results in just a fraction of second.
Technology affects every aspect of our lives. From romance to business, it has shown its presence everywhere. But technology has had a huge impact on education that cannot be denied, and has done nothing but improve the quality and quantity of education.
... 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.