Friday, January 23, 2009

Article Assessment 1 (Spring 09)

The Overdominance of Computers
by
Lowell W. Monke


Overview:
We have just discovered the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the possibilities of technology.
My generation (Gen X) had the opportunity to experience the evolution of breakthroughs first hand. The increase of technology in our lives is generating many question relating to educating the next generation. Questions like: How can we maximize the computer/internet to be a beneficial tool?
What ages do children begin to learn how to efficiently use high-tech tools?
Lowell thinks that before young students actually use technology, they should acquire social skills like: self-discipline, moral judgment, and empathy in order to use technology effectively.
Monke states that computers/internet are powerful tools that require self-discipline that young children and adolescents don’t yet possess. He claims that in order to mature and to fully understand what they view on computers, students crave human contact experiences. Monke believes children need to experience social nuances that give them more insight to real life situations in order to have the skills to differentiate from cyber reality. He does not want to banish computers from schools, but to be more conscious of use, and possibly limit the duration they are used. Lowell advocates slowly integrating technology into classrooms after elementary school and focusing more on it during the last two years of high school. Continue Overview

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