Is technology helping or hurting our education system in America? According to the Wisconsin Center for Education Research, technology in the form of epistemic video games give students the tools to "learn by doing" (p. 13), thus helping them to inhibit certain professions through role-playing. On the other side of the spectrum is Richard Ohmann, who argues that while technology is somewhat beneficial, it is being over-used in the classroom.
In the article “Video Games and the Future of Learning”, it is pointed out that epistemic video games bring gamers opportunities to inhibit job roles via game console. It is argued that this sort of interactive learning is more beneficial to students than traditional study styles as it allows students to become what they are learning about as opposed being talked at.
According to Richard Ohmann, author of “Computers and Technology”, technology does have its place in the classroom, but is being too heavily relied on overall. For example, students are using the internet “for horsing around or meeting extracurricular needs” (Ohmann, p.2) instead of using it for research. They are playing games during class or, in the case of adult students, multi-tasking by checking stocks, writing e-mails, or getting office work done. Computers are also sometimes used as a shortcut to learning-the easy way out. Parents and teachers should re-evaluate how often they substitute technology for interactive learning. Not every computerized game is a learning tool. Interactive learning needs to outweigh electronic learning. In other words, our reliance on computers and technology in general should not be brought into the classroom.
So what is the big deal with having technology in the classroom? It may be helpful in certain senses, such as epistemic games for mind stimulation, but overall the classroom is just another market for computer companies. My point is not that we should nix technology altogether, but that we need to be a little more wary of how much we depend on it-especially in a learning environment. In today’s technology savvy society, it has never been more important in the business world to be in touch with all the gadgets and how they work. However, pushing this in classrooms may not be the answer. Yes, computers may help with neatness of papers and certain class projects, but students still need to interact with their teachers and know how to get research from books. Schools need to be treated as such, and computer companies need to respect that and take their business elsewhere.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Monday, September 24, 2007
Synthesis Draft
Is technology helping or hurting our education system in America? According to the Wisconsin Center for Education Research, technology in the form of epistemic video games give students the tools to "learn by doing" (p. 13), thus helping them to inhibit certain professions through role-playing. On the other side of the spectrum is Richard Ohmann, who argues that while technology is somewhat beneficial, it is being over-used in the classroom.
In the article ______________, it is pointed out that epistemic video games bring gamers opportunities to inhibit job roles via game console. It is argued that this sort of interactive learning is more beneficial to students than traditional study styles as it allows students to become what they are learning about as opposed to just hearing about it.
According to Richard Ohmann, author of “Computers and Technology”, the opposite is true. Ohmann states that technology does have its place in the classroom, but is being too heavily relied on overall. Students are using the internet “for horsing around or meeting extracurricular needs” (Ohmann, p.2) instead of using it for research. They are playing games during class or, in the case of adult students, multi-tasking by checking stocks, writing e-mails, or getting office work done.
So what is the reason for getting that technology into the classroom? It may be helpful in certain senses, such as epistemic games for mind stimulation, but overall the classroom is just another market. In today’s technology savvy society, it has never been more important in the business world to be in touch with all the gadgets and how they work. However, pushing this in classrooms may not be the answer. Yes, computers may help with neatness of papers and certain class projects, but students still need to interact with their teachers and know how to get research from books. Schools need to be treated as such, and computer companies should respect this and take their business elsewhere.
In the article ______________, it is pointed out that epistemic video games bring gamers opportunities to inhibit job roles via game console. It is argued that this sort of interactive learning is more beneficial to students than traditional study styles as it allows students to become what they are learning about as opposed to just hearing about it.
According to Richard Ohmann, author of “Computers and Technology”, the opposite is true. Ohmann states that technology does have its place in the classroom, but is being too heavily relied on overall. Students are using the internet “for horsing around or meeting extracurricular needs” (Ohmann, p.2) instead of using it for research. They are playing games during class or, in the case of adult students, multi-tasking by checking stocks, writing e-mails, or getting office work done.
So what is the reason for getting that technology into the classroom? It may be helpful in certain senses, such as epistemic games for mind stimulation, but overall the classroom is just another market. In today’s technology savvy society, it has never been more important in the business world to be in touch with all the gadgets and how they work. However, pushing this in classrooms may not be the answer. Yes, computers may help with neatness of papers and certain class projects, but students still need to interact with their teachers and know how to get research from books. Schools need to be treated as such, and computer companies should respect this and take their business elsewhere.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Synthesis outline
Is technology helping or hurting our education system in America? According to the Wisconsin Center for Education Research, technology in the form of epistemic video games give students the tools to "learn by doing" (p. 13), thus helping them to inhibit certain professions through role-playing. On the other side of the spectrum is Richard Ohmann, who argues that while technology is somewhat beneficial, it is being over-used in the classroom.
-Epistemic games bring gamers opportunities to inhibit roles
-Epistemic games create a sense of community in gamers that is lacking in the classroom
-Technology is somewhat useful in the classroom, but is being relied on too much
-Students are playing games during class instead of paying attention
-Plagiarism is a bigger problem
-Students use internet (which may be less factual) instead of books for research
-Collegiate students (particularly adults) using laptops to multi-task(writing e-mails, checking stocks) etc. during class
-Epistemic games bring gamers opportunities to inhibit roles
-Epistemic games create a sense of community in gamers that is lacking in the classroom
-Technology is somewhat useful in the classroom, but is being relied on too much
-Students are playing games during class instead of paying attention
-Plagiarism is a bigger problem
-Students use internet (which may be less factual) instead of books for research
-Collegiate students (particularly adults) using laptops to multi-task(writing e-mails, checking stocks) etc. during class
Computers and Technology response
In "Computers and Technology, Richard Ohmann brings up a few good points about the technology craze that is sweeping the country-and the school system. He argues that while there are a few good things about computers in the classroom, they also cause a lot of problems. He points out that in certain schools, the use of computers has dramatically improved grades and involvement. However, it seems that students are relying less on books and teachers as resources and more and more on the internet. There is also a huge amount of students using plagiarism instead of doing their own work.
I agree with Richard Ohmann in the sense that students use the internet too much for research, but disagree with the points he makes about students relying too heavily on computers for day-to-day learning. Obviously the statistics from the beginning of his article show that having computers in schools is making a big impact on students grades. Students do rely a little to much on the internet for research, and plagiarism is a big problem, but overall having technology in the classroom seems to be making a positive impact.
I agree with Richard Ohmann in the sense that students use the internet too much for research, but disagree with the points he makes about students relying too heavily on computers for day-to-day learning. Obviously the statistics from the beginning of his article show that having computers in schools is making a big impact on students grades. Students do rely a little to much on the internet for research, and plagiarism is a big problem, but overall having technology in the classroom seems to be making a positive impact.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Summaries
"Fast-food companies are marketing to children a product with proven health hazards and no warning labels." This is fast-food 101 according to David Zinczenko, author of "Don't Blame the Eater" and editor-in-chief of Men's Health magazine. Zinczenko also claims that there are hardly-if any-healthy, inexpensive alternatives for fast food that can also be eaten on the run. I disagree with Zinczenco, as the search for healthy alternatives stops at the nearest grocery store. There are many items that are convenient for those on the go that don't contain thousands of calories, contrary to Zinczenko's opinion. These options include fresh fruit and vegetables, health snacks, and microwaveable meals that boast as little as ____ calories. Simply looking around at labels and eating more fresh fruits and veggies are wonderful alternatives to fast-food.
In his article "Don't Blame the Eater", David Zinczenko rightfully criticizes fast-food companies for providing very unhealthy food with misleading knowledge about the nutrition facts, leading people to believe they are saving calories eating a salad when they would be better off with a chicken sandwich. He also criticizes these companies for their marketing tactics. They seem to mainly market to today's youth, which as Zinczenko claims, has played a large role in childhood obesity. But the fast-food companies aren't the only to blame. It also seems as though children choose fast-food over healthy alternatives, so a lawsuit against the fast-food industry may not help a whole lot. I do agree that fast-food is sometimes misleading, but consumers need to take responsibility of their own consumption.
In his article "Don't Blame the Eater", David Zinczenko rightfully criticizes fast-food companies for providing very unhealthy food with misleading knowledge about the nutrition facts, leading people to believe they are saving calories eating a salad when they would be better off with a chicken sandwich. He also criticizes these companies for their marketing tactics. They seem to mainly market to today's youth, which as Zinczenko claims, has played a large role in childhood obesity. But the fast-food companies aren't the only to blame. It also seems as though children choose fast-food over healthy alternatives, so a lawsuit against the fast-food industry may not help a whole lot. I do agree that fast-food is sometimes misleading, but consumers need to take responsibility of their own consumption.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
The New iPod
http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/40512;_ylt=AkcjYJ4cc3mdGtYCJu3XnrIFLZA5
The writer is responding to Apple's new lineup of iPods, and claims that the iPod touch is basically a waste of money as it is just an iPhone without a phone and has less memory than the "classic" iPod. The motivation behind this response is Apple putting out new products this fall that seem to have very little practical use but to look "pretty" and just be a new way for Apple to make money.
The writer is responding to Apple's new lineup of iPods, and claims that the iPod touch is basically a waste of money as it is just an iPhone without a phone and has less memory than the "classic" iPod. The motivation behind this response is Apple putting out new products this fall that seem to have very little practical use but to look "pretty" and just be a new way for Apple to make money.
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