Do you think it would be a good idea for schools to have a tech free class where students had to do assignments with BOOKS and LIBRARY and pen and paper, ,instead of technology?

Do you think maybe we are becoming WEAKER and MORE DEPENDENT on technology to be able to care for ourselves should we ever be without that technology?

I think it would be a great idea to teach a tech free class but I do think we are becoming more dependent on technology and it will only grow stronger. My generation has seen it come a long way and I would teach the ways of the future so they can succeed in the world they are coming into.

I think we can never learn too much, but it does bother me that we are dependent so much on the artificial instead of understanding and being able to survive with the natural,,,,

yes and no,

tech free:
maybe for a problem solving class, or a critical thinking class, I.e have the kids figure out a solution without the aid of the interney.....but for that type of class books wouldn't be allowed either.

the no part:
books are nothing more than written words, to me the method of delivery is of little significance...ereaders are great in my opinion because the can hold more books tham any backpack out there

sadly libraries are becoming a thing of the past as well, you'd spend hours in a library trying to find the information you need, now you can find it immediately, and learn anything you want, I think its better to spend the time learning instead of hunting for information

in closing I dont think technology is making us weaker, I think the way we choose to use technology is making some weaker, but those that are driven it is making them far stronger

Are you referring to grades 1-8, 9-12, or colleges only?



I think technology and modern day thinkers are dividing our country even more severely. The haves are far exceeding the abilities of the have nots and don't care about helping them to catch up.

Just because people are being intentionally left behind doesn't mean they aren't intelligent and savvy enough survivors that are capable of succeeding even without book learned educations though.

And there is already such class division due in most part to the lack of quality education and access to it that people who want to thrive are becoming wiser in the ways that are more important toward ensuring long term survival.

Also, if there ever was civil war in this country... and/or electricity to run computers and the information highway became obsolete or only accessible for those who could afford it, I'd bet my money (if I had any ) on the under-educated who know how to hustle (via manual labor) and survive the old fashioned way first.

http//:www.BackToTheCavesAsap.org

That's PE for me!

They are already taking learning cursive out of schools....

It seems that everywhere the students are allowed to use technology, they have lost the ability to write, spell, add, subtract and multiply. The only multiplying being done is to the population of stupid and dependent people. If you took most any high school student to the library...Do you think they could locate a book?

The Dewey decimal system, lost forever...

WOW awesome topic, first of all, allow me to compliment you on a great topic

I think students should still learn to use the library and be encouraged and required to do so because the books there are what is called primary sources (or resources). It's comparable to going to "the source" or "the horses mouth" (yuck...never liked THAT expression lol)

Whereas much of what is available online is often (not always) a secondary source...wiki for example gets much of it's info elsewhere so it is a secondary source. A good researcher knows that a primary source is the best info. So speaking to quality of education, students should learn this (and it seems that they are not in my observation). I am not sure it's necessary to have a class where tech is banned. Tech is simply another tool. I'd say have it there and teach the DIFFERENCE, and when it is best to use which tool.

It's like when Aunt Sally tells the beauty shop that Lucy's sister did not put out the cloth napkins on Christmas (oh the horror). Who do we go to if we really want to know if that is true? (hint, not Sally's blog the computer) lol

Students of all ages should be given a good "all around" education.
That should include how to do things when the power goes out or they have no "bars" on their cell phones.

We live in an age of many technological marvels, and there is more to come. But we also need to learn that there is more to life than modern technology.

There's so much to say pro AND con about technology.

I just hope we don't continue to lose "the art" of constructing a comprehensive, feeling, and poignant handwritten letter.

exactly that is the problem, not understanding the last bit. Aunt Sally's blog is not a primary source for information about Lucy's sister, neither is Lucy, actaully. There are many fine secondary sources, but primary sources as in historical writings, are more often found in the library in bound volumes (if you want a free copy). It's not that primary sources do not exist in cyber land, they do, but they are not as easily accessible, they are easily altered in that medium, and usually not free.

It's good that topic is being taught somewhere. And it's great to hear that it starts early in the 5th gr. Highschoolers are hopefully doing in depth research that requires a certain percentage of primary sources also. And, learning to evaluate those sources. Now technology can definitely be a great primary tool when looking for lead info, for example.

(say...to get Lucy's sister's phone # so we can go to the primary source)

oops, just gave out the answer to my own quiz...lol

I agree with what you are saying hear about community! I will go to other towns just so I can stroll in that type of a community even tho it is not my home...lol.

And I also like what you are saying about disabilities. the school I went to is nationally famous for it's accessibility and it's outreach to disabled students. That definitely is something I have first hand experience with. I have seen how technology has helped.

you mean like the ones I get here that say:

hiii......wasup

I was trying for an example that would not offend anyone...lol

ive heard this argument a lot, the "what happens when its gone...." I personally don't think it will ever be gone, technological advances are happening every day and will continue to happen.

it makes me wonder if back when horse and buggies were the norm if people said the same things about automobiles I can just imagine a leather shop owner teaching his kid how to make saddles, and reigns for the horses and the kid asking why he cant learn how to make car seats....and the dad saying "because when those automobiles arent around you'll need to know how to do this...."

I think it is not a forward way of thinking, almost everything is done on computers, teaching kids a skill that they may NEVER use...I.e finding something in a library, is pointless imho

I personally would like to see the libraries create their own network together, scan the books into pdf form, and have primary sources readily available from a network of trusted official libraries