Fritz Allison

slm 521 sp03

3/29/03

Silicon Snake Elective

1. In one excerpt Stoll proclaims that school districts promote technology as a way of solving the problems of teaching and he is surprised at how few scoff at that idea. When put into that context, I would think that a lot of people in education would scoff at that idea. Technology is not a way to replace teachers, but a way to enhance teaching. The internet can be used to add different and creative ideas and assignments to lessons.

2. In his discussion about databases, Stoll states that it is important for people to realize that there are still other ways to catalog information and that it is important for people to learn ways to do things without the aid of a computer. I went to undergraduate school in the early 1990's and my college library was not yet connected to any databases on the internet. Most of my research was done with card catalogs and microfilm. When I entered graduate school two years ago and did some research on databases, I found it to be so much easier and less time consuming.

3. On his website, Stoll hints that the internet is not the best place for commerce because you are lacking the benefit of having a salesperson. I have not purchased many things off the internet, but I have benefited from the research on products I would like to purchase. I saved money when purchasing my computer and vehicle because I researched the products and knew the value of these products before letting a salesperson working on commission take advantage of me.

4. In his review of the book, Rory McGreal states that if students graduate without the benefit on some basic computer skills, they will not be ready for the real world. I agree with this statement and feel that this is one important reason for schools to incorporate technology. Technology and computers will have an effect on many occupations and it is important for all students to have access and the ability to use it.

5. On his website Stoll states that e-mail is slow, inefficient, and impersonal. Yes, it is impersonal but I would argue that it is not slow and inefficient. Sometimes a face-to-face meeting is better, but I've found that e-mail is a way around time constraints and distance to communicating with others. You can send an e-mail and get a response anywhere in the world. I believe that is rather fast and convenient.