Jenn
Brown
October 7, 2004
Article Critique #2
Title: Alliance: Rethink Tech’s Role in Schools
Source: E-School News ~
http://www.eschoolnews.com
Citation:
E-School News (2004). Alliance: Rethink Tech’s Role in Schools. October
1, 2004
from http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/showStoryts.cfm?ArticleID=5282&page=1
SYNOPSIS
OF CONTENT:
This
article discusses the report “Tech Tonic” that was released by the
nonprofit
Alliance for Children. The Alliance has
stated that there is little evidence of long-term benefits from using
computers
in schools. The Alliance goes on to say
that basically the use of the Internet does more harm than good. They feel that it promotes a sedentary life
for the students… that the students are immersed in a virtual high tech
world
and that they are expected to navigate the information superhighway
with little
guidance and few boundaries. Another
point that they focused on is the expense of technology.
The
article then goes on to discuss the other side of the argument… the
Educational
technology advocates side. The
advocates did agree that students need a healthy balance between
computer time
and other activities, and that students need to learn about the moral
and
ethical implications of technology use.
They say that the Alliance paints the use of technology as
“black and
white”. It is unrealistic to think that
we can limit the use of technology.
Technology is clearly expanding the choices and opportunities
available
to today’s students. Educators must
embrace technology and focus on teaching responsible use.
And to address the issue of causing
sedentary lifestyles… they say that technology is not the problem, it
is an
activities management problem.
THOUGHTS
AND OPINIONS:
I find this article to be very interesting… and
it is such a
hot topic. I can see to some extent why
the Alliance feels the way that they do.
But I too disagree with their report.
I think that they really are looking at this issue as an
either/or and
nothing in between. I think that it is
unrealistic to view this issue that way.
The use of technology can be so valuable in extending the
students’
learning. I do believe that it may be
expensive for the schools to keep their technology updated, but I feel
that
with the proper use of it can help improve student achievement.