Support for my position on technology

I just read an article on line at http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/technology/sobel.htm.

It is called "Take Back the Afternoon: Preserving the Landscape of Childhood In Spite of Computers" by David Sobel.

I encourage you to read it. It is about the role that technology should play in the classroom. There are some lines that I would like to quote:

"... does the computer really make your preschooler smarter, happier and healthier? Or does it numb her brain and make her just another contributor to the globalization of a consumer-oriented, ecologically destructive culture?
Regrettably, it is not so clearly black and white. Rather, to paraphrase Judy Collins, 'Something's lost and something's gained in computer use everyday.' When children in and out of school are using computers, they are not doing something else. If we understand what they are not doing as well as what they are doing, we will be in a better position to decide what place computers should have in children's lives."

I think this speaks for itself. This is basically my fear that children are just getting too much exposure to it and are losing some valuable EXPERIENCES in the process...experiences that one can NOT recreate virtually! We also spoke about this in our group for my Teaching With Technology class. The point was brought up that technology may be a big contributor to the obesity epidemic. I don't think anyone would disagree that actually going out and playing sports is VASTLY different from playing "fantasy sports." Which one has more benefits? I think the choice is obvious.

The author goes on to discuss things that are being lost in students childhoods (outdoor discoveries, playing "pretend," etc.). He then says, "This erosion of childhood concerns me and computers seem like a river in flood washing away the soil that roots children to the natural world."

"Computer use in school may be something of a different story. ...The message here is that good software is much more dynamic and interactive than most of the rest of the stuff that goes on in school. "

"This does not mean, however, that we should cave in to demands for more and more computers in schools. Instead, we need to focus on creating learning environments and educational challenges that are equally as engaging, interactive and sophisticated as good software."

"Technology enthusiasts want us to believe that all educational problems are nails and that we can solve them by giving everyone a computer hammer. But cooperative learning, apprenticeships, real science, social action projects, and community-based environmental education are equally important tools in creating educational reform."

"The point here is that computers should follow, not lead. Dynamic, real life engagements that build skills, self-confidence and a sense of purpose in life are the motive force of education. The computer has a role to play in this drama, but it should be a supporting cast member, not the star. Right now, the computer is too much of a prima donna, attracting attention away from the rest of the players and the technical crew. And if an increasing percentage of the school budget is spent on computers, then not enough will be spent on pianos, art materials, laboratory equipment, land acquisition for the nature center, bilingual education specialists and a new sound system for the theater."

I guess the bottom line to all of this is that technology is not really the enemy. Everything is good IN MODERATION. Technology needs to be CAREFULLY interwoven into our curricula and should not ever be a substitute for student to student interaction, hands on activities, field trips, and other things that connect our students to the real world.