The Role of Technology

“Every new technology with potential to bring benefits carries a price.”

Physical Development Technology works as a catalyst for some growing health epidemics.  Obesity  Stress  Visual Strain  Postural Problems  Repetitive-motion (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome) “We have the most sedentary generation of young people in American history” U.S. Surgeon General, David Satcher

Social Development Computers isolate us and minimize social interaction. Cliford Stol (1995). Silicon Snake Oil : Second Thoughts on the Information Highway Prolonged exposure to computing environments may create “individuals incapable of dealing with the messiness of reality, the needs of community building, and the demand of personal commitments. National Science Board

Communication Up to 90% of the meaning of a message is transmitted non-verbally Fromkin and Rodman (1983) According to research, children between the ages of 10 and 17 will spend 1/3 less time interacting face to face

Academic Improvement A study of 31 countries showed that the less students use computers at school and at home, the better they do in international tests of literacy and maths. John Clare, (Filed: 3/21/2005) Teachers do not receive adequate training and support on how to integrate technology. Technology is too complex and error prone to be integrated successfully. Oppenheimer, Todd (2003). The Flickering Mind. “…computers have thus far contributed nothing of note to the learning process… “ Jane M. Healy, Educational Psychologist, “From Children and Computers-Who Needs them…and When?” June “There is no clear, commanding body of evidence that students’ sustained use of multimedia machines, the internet, word- processing, spreadsheets, and other popular applications has any impact on academic achievement” Larry Cuban

Cognitive Development  Computers emphasize only two of the six higher order thinking skills.  Using computers at an early age encourages a “robotic- like” thought process.

Access to Information “Much of the material on the Internet is incorrect or biased and is frequently unreliable.” Jonathan Zittrain Harvard Law School Professor, “Net-savvy Students Shelving Libraries.” March 1, 1999 Boston Globe “The Internet changes our culture, not simply a tool.” “Internet connects children to trivial games, inappropriate adult material, and aggressive advertising ” “Voluminous information does not necessarily lead to sound thinking. ‘Data Glut’ obscures basic questions of justice and purpose and may even hinder rather enhance our productivity.” Theodore Roszak, (1986) The Cult of Information: A Neo Luddite Treatise on High-Tech, Artificial Intelligence, and the True Art of Thinking. New York: Pantheon Books.

Cost Schools spent 6.9 billion dollars in 1999 to purchase desktop computers and accessories. Glenn M. Kleiman, “Leadership and the New Technologies” Issue 14, April- June, 2000 Schools cannot afford to keep up with changes and innovations in technology. Todd Oppenheimer, (Atlantic Monthly, July 1997) The Computer Delusion [Online]. Accessed 2/14/02: Technical support is too costly and inefficient to support teachers in their learning goals.

Power Outage

“… the greater the wonders of a technology, the greater will be its negative consequences.” Neil Postman (Denver, Colorado, March 27, 1998). “Five Things We Need to Know About Technological Change”