Silicon Snake Elective

The assignment is to select 5 points taken by the author and comment on them.

Mr. Stoll states that, “Schools, libraries and even businesses are being sold down the river, wasting money on ineffective and counterproductive computing systems.” While this might have been true in the early years of the computer, most of these establishments now have experts who carefully research all the choices and choose the ones that are right for their purposes. When purchasing hardware and software use a reputable company that will update products when new ones become available. Be sure to get this in writing and negotiate costs before hand. Set up a network of information whereby these places share their insight as to what works and does not work for that particular establishment, since different businesses have distinctly different needs.

Mr. Stoll writes, “E-mail is clumsy, inefficient, and impersonal.” I think E-

mail can be difficult (or clumsy as he puts it) if you do not know how to use it, but once you learn how to use it, it is an easy and quick way to communicate. I disagree with his thought that it is inefficient. I can write a note to someone in the morning and many times, I have an answer later that evening. While a phone call would be just as quick (if in fact the person were home), a letter would surely take much more time. The E-mail allows the other party to ponder the idea or question and then respond. A phone call might ask for an immediate response, thus giving the other person no time to think about a response. In our school, the principal can easily communicate with the entire staff in a matter of minutes. I am surprised at the amount of emotion that can come through on an E-mail-by the choice of words, italics, bold or capitals. It is far from impersonal in my opinion. E-mail is not for every situation, but it has its place and should be used when appropriate.

Another idea mentioned by Mr. Stoll is Computer Network Communities and his hopes that these network communities will not replace “church, café(s), art gallery, theater or tavern(s)”. I think it is ridiculous to think that the computer will replace these. People will always need the human interaction that these places provide. When televisions were invented, did they replace all radios? However, I am sure that thought was discussed at the time. Did VCR’s replace all movie theaters? Of course not. In fact, I think that interest in movie viewing increased and theaters still enjoy booming success. New technology should enhance ours lives not endanger the good things that we have.

“Do they really belong in the classroom?” asks Mr. Stoll. My answer to that is yes if they are used properly. When used as a toy or a reward center with games, that might not be the best way to expose children to computers. Nevertheless, when used in conjunction with classroom lessons, they can benefit instruction. Proper teacher training will be a key element to their usefulness. Today’s students will face a computer world when they enter the job market; therefore, the role of the school is to prepare students for that world.

“Few aspects of daily life require computers. They’re irrelevant to cooking, driving, visiting, negotiating, eating, hiking, dancing, speaking, or gossiping.” I agree that computers are not necessary for those activities but let’s look at history. Most new, radical and outrageous ideas (and by outrageous I mean in the context of that day and time) are met with skepticism. There will always be radicals who will predict the end of the world because this new idea or invention will corrupt, and change life, as we know it. When cooking moved from the fire and fireplace to a stove, was there doubt. When Henry Ford began mass producing cars, there was probably outrage. When people no longer had to grow everything they needed to survive and could visit a store or market, I am sure someone found fault. In other words, give the computer time to find its place among the people. It will not be for everyone all the time, but it is a useful tool that is here to stay.