Comments on: Study faults schools on computer use

By: Kerri

Kerri — Sun, 18 Sep 2005 21:11:47 +0000

I completely agree about IM and AIM as well. I do feel it is a beneficial way of staying in touch with friends and relatives, or maintaining relationships over distances, but it has its negative aspects as well. I do feel that it is a negative thing in high schools. Like many of you have said, it gives kids the power to say things to others that they do not have the courage to say in person, giving them a false sense of confidence. Also, it is easier to be hurtful, and gossip does get passed around easier. The worst thing about it is that conversations can be printed off, and unlike talking to someone in person, things that are said can be saved in print. Many times this just causes unneccesary conflict and drama.

By: Jack

Jack — Sun, 18 Sep 2005 16:27:39 +0000

I definetly agree with you about the annoyance of IM. When I was in highschool AIM was huge, everyone would go home and talk to eachother about eachother. The thing that makes online communication bad is that is gives people the “fortitude” to say things they’d never think of saying face to face with someone. In highshool it just leads to a lot of gossip and drama, which I guess is typical of highschool. I never really enjoyed it, I’d rather be outside doing something, talking to people, interacting yah know. But I think that’s part of the reason why kids like it; it’s open and they can be fearless. Email is definetly the best form of online communication because it takes skill to write a clear and concise message to someone. It also gives you time to think about your response and reply appropriattly.

By: caspera

caspera — Thu, 15 Sep 2005 22:32:55 +0000

I agree that it is unfortunate that educators are shying away from technology in the classroom. In the long run learning technology will help the students acheive more in the future. Educators should want to help their students acheive, thats why they got into teaching, not to hold them back by not teaching useful tools like technology. Educators should be willing to give up some of their free time to learn how to use technology in the classroom, but if not there is always their extra period that every teacher has during the school day.

By: Wendy

Wendy — Tue, 13 Sep 2005 05:16:08 +0000

This is such an unfortunate reality. In this time, we should be embracing technologies and their advantages, not shying away from the change it will bring. So what if Mr. Smith’s prep hour consists of coffee and reading the newspaper. Teachers could use the time allotted to them to learn, or heaven forbid some of their own time. The fear of the unknown is really what is holding back these teachers. People don’t like change unless it is something that benifits them directly, and usually in their pocketbook. I find it offensive to the education of students that teachers feel that it is not something that would benifit thier class or their student body. Also, as taxpayers, we should be outraged. When support staff, busing and janitorial services are being scrapped and technology money is being reallocated or just not used at all, this is a large problem. The real world runs digitally, that is all there is to it. No student should be denied the ability to see technology in use.