A vast array of tech devices are available to help teach and
learn in industrialized countries. Given
K-12 students are the second tier in the technology generation, should public
schools make the move to have all assignments (reading, writing, etc.) be
digital?
What are the benefits and consequences of moving away from
pencil and paper in the classroom?
Selena C.
ReplyDeleteI think that K-7 should learn the old fashioned way. All assignments done on pencil and paper so that they learn how to write atleast. Junior High up kids should do all of their assignments online just like we do I think it is much easier this way than having to keep up with alot of different papers.
Getting away from pencil and paper one major benefit would be no excuses. They couldnt loose their assigments on the computer. Save trees would be another. I cant really think of any life changing consequences in making this transition.
Megan M. Online 12 in response to Selena C.
DeleteI think you're very right in K-7 grades being required to take old fashioned paper and pencil grammar. I dont want them to end up being too reliant on spell check and auto correct.
Elia V.12
ReplyDeleteTo me just the way it is now is fine, they are learning to write and actually have hands on reading, I have a K child who perpectly knows how to read and use ipad, iphone, laptop, you name it, pretty much all the kids are the same way, they'll get the technology as well outside the classroom or in the classroom in a computer lab, I agree that they need to spend more time in the computer lab but even though my child has a kindle she likes the hardcopies better, I like hard copies too, start with the basics, they are surrounded by technology, they'll learn it.
Jordanna C
DeleteI agree with you.
Elia V.12
ReplyDeletein response to Selena C.
Agree with you! the othr day at work somebody mentioned that his hand hurt of writing and everyone look at him like, why aren't you typing?
We shouldn't agree with our kids not knowing how to write or start to learn how to type instead.
Plus paper pencil and books are always available and their system doesn't go down!
Megan M. Online 12
ReplyDeleteTechnology is certainly more efficient, accurate, as well as fast. However people are becoming more dependent on things like spell check and auto correct so good use in grammer is getting worse. It's a sad true fact that paper is a dying thing.
Briana S. Online 12
DeleteHopefully with newer technologies we can find a way to preserve writing etiquette even if it is in a more up to date format.
Cori S. 10 In response to brianna s. online. 12
DeleteI completely agree with you. I think the writing and etiquette has a lot to do with learning how to compose ideas. Some people don't really like to write and aren't very good at it, but that is the basis of education. It is all about being literate. I think writing by hand is really associated more with liberal arts. I wish I lived back in greek times when getting an education meant learning how to write and learning philosophy. Writing by hand is really a way to individualize education and let your imagination embrace symbolic language.
Briana S. 12 online
ReplyDeleteI don't think that all assignments should be made digital, however I do think that computer labs should be built into the curriculum. Technology has become a significant part of our world, and it is important that future generations are able to navigate through newer technologies.The benefits of moving away from more of handwritten classwork to a digital setting would be the features and quality of systems students would have available to them, thus providing a better quality of work. The disadvantages would be the loss of a skill set, people would also move away from things like hand written letter, which already began to phase out with email.
Heather 08 in response Briana 12
DeleteThis is exactly how I feel. Technology is a wonderful asset. It should be used that way. It should not replace the current ways, just enhance them. I still think a personal letter or even a note is much more personal than an email or text will ever be.
Cynthia H 44 I agree I feel that all assignments don't need to be digital but I do feel that some assignments can be.
DeleteOne thing that I love about my kids' charter school is that they have a computer lab and require all the kids in K-12 to take at least one semester a year in computers. They younger grades have computers in their classrooms, the older kids have an actual computer lab they go to for a full class of computers. It is a skill they do need to learn. Proper online etiquette is very important. I find that somewhere between my generation (I am 38) and my daughter's generation (she is 14) that there is a huge lack of online etiquette missing. The schools and parents had to catch up with the technology, it seems!
DeleteJenn L 08
Tate F. Online 08
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, I do not think schools K-12 should make assignments digital. It is good for college but K-12 should not be digital. Going digital might make it too easy for K-12. Although, a few benefits for going digital would be that the schools are saving money by not using all the paper they usually would. It might be fun for students to work on a computer all the time. It also does still teach you. Students would not have to worry about losing their school assignments with it being digital. Consequences would be students or teachers may lose their data. The internent could go out. Students may forget about school assignments that are due. Elementary schools are mostly to teach kids to read and write, and going digital would not help them as much because it is not hands on. This would also be an easy way around for the students to do their school work. Also, students would rely on the computer to fix errors that they would not notice.
Trina H 12 in response to Tate F 08
DeleteYes, I agree that students would rely on computers to fix errors that they may not notice. This is noticable even in larger corporations that use the computer to send out mass notifications to employees.
Tate F. Online 08
ReplyDeleteIn Response to Megan M Online 12
I agree with you on your comment. It is a good thought but also a bad one. Schools K-12 should stay hands on. Students should not have all digital assignments. School work needs to be taught hands on, not through a computer.
Kirsten H. Online 10 in response to Megan M. Online 10
ReplyDeleteI believe that a paperless classroom is beneficial for COLLEGE, not K-12. As you said, being reliant on spell check/autocorrect while children are supposed to be building their vocabulary skills will not help then later in life when they do end up having to articulate themselves on paper. The reason I find it good for college students is because online classes or onlne BASED classes prove better for the busier students (maybe those with a family at home or jobs after class.) However, again, the younger years should focus on learning the basics of writing, rather than relying on technology to half the work for them.
Cori s. online in response to kirsten h.
DeleteI totally agree with you. The english language is really complicated and takes a lot of memorization. If I had relied on spell check I am not sure how well that would have worked out for me. I do think they should have computer classes to prepare you for college though. I went through a bit of a culture shock when I started college. At my school you could turn in a hand written paper and get the same grade as you did if it were typed.
Michelle L.Online 08
ReplyDeletei think kids k-12 should do it the traditional way so they can learn hot to write etc. everything should be digital in college by choice. i dont think everything should be done by digital.
Michelle L.Online.08 in response Tate F. Online 08
ReplyDeletei agree with you. alot of things can go wrong with the internet and i think grade school is way to early to have kids do all their work on the internet.
Tracy P. soc 01 I do not think they should go digital, but I do think they should have computer class and taught in school so they are ready for it in college.
ReplyDeleteI don't think they need to go all digital. People still need to learn how to write and how to write cursive and how to read it. If we go all digital then I believe our society as a whole will go down a road that we shouldn't. Writing is an art that you always keep learning. Its something we need to keep.
ReplyDeleteAmy Hedrick-08 in response to Jeremy Brey
DeleteI agree with you, that kids need to learn to read and write. Unfortunately, true hand writing is becoming a lost art. The papers my kids used to bring home resembled nothing of my mother's or my grandmother's. It was hard enough to get my son and daughter to write legibly let alone in the script once taught in our public schools. The expectations and teaching of old have gone and unfortunately technology appears to be the way of the present/future.
I think high school is a great age to start using the electronics for classes. Obviously not all classes could use them, like math, that should definitely be a paper pencil always class. But for others it would be a great way to make sure all students have power points and notes and everyone would have a way to make sure all homework is typed. It also becomes a responsibility situation, not all kids have important responsibilities in high school and having something like an ipad that they have to take care is a good learning experience.
ReplyDeleteJon Walker
ReplyDeleteThe are two of consequences that I can think of. One is that the student's handwriting could diminish just from not writing at all. Another consequence is that the student's vocab would be less than that of students who have to really look at the word when writing. I say this because spell check has made the first generation of students with technology lives much easier. You can type with careless errors and then fix it later. Is the Government going to take away cursive now if they have already not? This would be a plus to helping students work on their cursive skills. I wish I could have learned on a touch screen, it may be easier to follow the screen if it were to do the letters for you. I'm not sure if I am for this change in the high schools. It is probably out of budget as well.
Cori s. 10
ReplyDeleteI was born in 1994 and my generation was kind of in the change over period. I have never used a book to do research for a paper unless it was an analysis for AP American Literature. This is beneficial because it makes knowledge more universal, but there is just something about picking a book up and reading it or writing something down with a pencil on a piece of paper that is satisfying. I don't really like that you have to rely on the internet and technology for school. I really like that I don't have to have wifi to read a book or write something down, but that is just my opinion. I was the last class to learn how to write in cursive, and that is how I write (and anyone younger than me can't even read it). I like that information and books are so readily available, but I think the artistic aspect of it is becoming lost in all the computerized print. The more people rely on the internet, the less creative we become. I think k-12 is a critical time for young people to explore their own minds and develop a sense of "self". I think people should use the internet as a tool for research and education, but not rely on it completely. If you reply on the internet you're never going to make it a point to actually LEARN. Because why memorize something you can just look up?
Anthony Hubert Soc. 1101
ReplyDeleteI think that 6 grsade to college should be allowed to learn digtial by chice. Because I know for me, I'm a visual learner so that would benefit me and others who learn the same way I do.
Sonya R 08
ReplyDeleteI think that pencil and paper should continue in the classroom. At least through grades K-6. During this time children are learning their penmanship and practicing how to write correctly on lined paper. The school systems have taken away enough of important things from the schools. Most importantly prayer. Let's not rob the children by taking away the old school. Pencil and paper is just fine.
Chynna boggs 01
ReplyDeleteI believe the whole thought is gross however some do learn better online as a hands on learner I have to write and rewrite to retain I think this will cause students to lose the capibility to retain and I do not think it should be put into effect
Mandy B. Online 10
ReplyDeleteI strongly oppose to making all assignments digital. Everyone should have to learn to write and use proper grammar, rather than relying on spell check and autocorrect. It is obvious even now that a lot of younger people have become so accustomed to modern technology that they do not even bother to use capital letters or punctuation while typing. It is ridiculous! Digital assignments for college students is a good thing, but I still think written work should be included. My daughters are in Kindergarten and third grade and I am grateful that they are learning proper writing and grammar techniques.
Mandy B. Online 10 in response to Jeremy Brey
ReplyDeleteYou are right! To go completely digital would take us down a road that we shouldn't go down. Proper writing is so important and is already diminishing with all of the technology we already expose our kids to.
Heather 08
ReplyDeleteI think technology is a wonderful thing, but knowing the basics can not be anything but helpful. You can not always rely on a computer in every circumstance. You have to learn to crawl before you can walk and I believe that applies to technology also. Your early basics will only benifit and compliment your technical skills. To become a well rounded, educated individual you need both educational styles. The benefits of the current standards prepare you for situations in all aspects, however if it were changed I suppose not spending the time on writing and spelling would allow for more information to be taught. I still am a firm believer in knowing the "old" ways first. It will not hurt you to know those things, only enhance your life.
John Marchant 08 online
DeleteI like the analogy that you used, "You have to learn to crawl, before you can begin to walk...". It puts a nice image in your head on how people should learn.
Jessica Anthuis
ReplyDeleteI think there needs to be a balance between technologies. If pens and paper are taken away from kids in school, then how will they know how to write? Technology is a great thing, but too often I am getting the feeling that we're getting ahead of ourselves. This is such a bad idea and I don't like it. Don't get me wrong, I live for my IPhone and all the ways its made my life easier, but I still know how to follow signs on the road and not listen to my Google Maps App.
Emilee A. online 12
ReplyDeletePersonally I do not agree with this idea. It's one thing for a college student who, hopefully, has learned how to study, write, spell, proper usage of grammer, and so on with the standard pen and paper. But when take K-12 and give them technology for a primary learning tool I feel that is setting up for failure. I have a 10 year old that loves technology, which is a great thing. At the schools in South GA where we moved from they taught kids how to spell, how write in cursive, and worked on handwriting. At my childs new school the vice princple is against teaching spelling because we have spell check, and she is against working on handwriting because we have computers. What's going to happen to these children that grow up with this technology at his/her fingertips and there is a power surge so they don't have the technology? My son was asked to study on some game and other website for a test and I was skeptical about it but let him do it the first time, but when he failed the test I knew right then that this was not going to work. You know thinking back my son needed to know how to spell a word the other day and said grab a dictionary and he said how do I use it. They use dictionaries so little in school now the kids don't know how to look up words or for that matter even sound them out.
Emilee A. online 12 in response to Heather 08
ReplyDeleteI agree that technology is a wonderful tool but like all tools there comes a time when maybe that tool is not enough or not what you need. Well put, you can not walk before you crawl, and in this situation crawling is leaning the basics with pen and paper.
Jessica H
ReplyDeleteI do not think that we should go all digital. It may be what the younger generations are used to but I'm more old-fashioned I guess. I prefer pen and paper to typing even though I type quite well. The benefit is that most people can type faster than they can write and efficiency is everything in the US. The down-fall is that in this economy, some people still can't afford to have a computer, much less internet, certain software programs, a printer, or anything else that would come with the transition.
M. Williams online 10
ReplyDeleteEveryone is forgetting that technology was designed by man to make our life easier. But we are raising a bunch of functionally illiterate children in America; when a child has the basic down, everything else will fall into place, my grandson have a Kindle and all the other games. But most of these children can't spell the game they are playing with. Reading, Writing and Math should still be practiced on a pratical basis; We are not letting children use their brains creatively, when I go to the supermarket a lot of the young children would not know how much change to give me back out of a quarter if it was not for the machines. They need to think more and use their brains more.
Megan N.08
DeleteI agree 100 percent. Yes electronics can be fun and entertaining and yes they make things easier, but how often does the internet become a distraction? I know from my point of view I like to do things more on paper because I don't get discouraged by other people's work.
Leightonia B, 12 Online
DeleteI agree with the statement you made in regards to “Reading, Writing, and Math should still be practiced on a practical basis.” Even now, there are times when technology goes down, so with that being said the children need to know how to figure things out the old fashion way. It is fine that technology was created to make life easier for people, but it is slowly taking away individuals ability to think outside of the box.
Repyl to Heather 8 online; M Williams online 10
ReplyDeleteI am agreement with your reply to Brian, technology should just enhance and not replace the basic, we have become a cold impersonal society.
Megan N. 08
ReplyDeleteI think using strictly electronics would be a very bad idea. Sure it is all around us at this point in time, but not everyone has the luxury of having all the fancy equipment at home. Yes, having a class that is focused mainly on computers would be helpful, but how are the future children supposed to know how to spell and write for themselves if spell check and Internet sources always help them out. For years students have been learning on paper so why stop now? There is no point. Sure saving trees would be nice but where are the students going to get the gadgets to practice at home if their families can't afford it?
Bailey Glines
ReplyDeleteI agree with Megan N. I think that using just electronics would be a very bad idea. I think that in school kids should still have to use books and write everything out because it is very important to be able to still write and use correct grammar and spelling without a computer doing it for you. Without writing everything, kids will not know how to do things on there own.
Tatrika H.12 Online
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, technological innovations have helped improve the standards of education. Technology has made life better and quicker. For instance, writing notes and essays are done faster when they're being typed versus written. But there MANY people whom can't see themselves without the new tools. The contribution of modern technology should not be eliminated, but evenly distributed.
Tatrika H. 12 Online in response to Chynna Boggs o1
ReplyDeleteTechnology recreates the essence of humanity and it encourages us to think of all things in the world as standing by, so I wouldn't limit the use of technology to a certain age or grade level. It's better to learn early than later, that way they children will have a better understanding of how/when to use it and what to use it for!!
Cynthia H 44 I feel that all assignments should not be digital, I thinks children and teenagers should have to write the old fashioned way, Pencil and paper. I do feel that digital assignments should be incorporated within the lesson. I feel that modern technology has got most of us quite lazy.
ReplyDeleteNatalie P. 10
ReplyDeleteThere are numerous reasons why handwriting is a critcal part of learning and should remain in the the curriculum. Although the world has become very technologically advanced I have noticed that children no longer are able to write fluently or even address a letter. The knowledge obtained presently has derived from written literature. There has to be a certain appreciation for the words that have been utilized to communicate. I agree with Cynthia H. in that yes the curriculum should entail digital assignements but proper writing skills are still a necessity.
Dustin S 12
DeleteI couldn't agree with you more. Most children are incapable of responding to a letter, or even stringing words together in a proper sentence. Perhaps the curriculum should include a class on proper e-mail form, and also how to send a proper text message.
In response to Tatrika H. I agree that technology does improve the standard of learning because of the vast amount of information that is made readily available. However, I feel that incorporating the process of readng and writing enhances the ability to retain the information.
ReplyDeleteLeightonia B, 12 Online
ReplyDeleteOne benefit of moving away from pencil and paper would be to assist those people that do not have the best penmanship. Some individuals have illegible handwriting which makes it difficult for others to understand what they have written. A consequence to this would be that it will make it easier for students to find a way to cheat being that they have access to the internet. There is also the factor of them getting distracted by other things on the web.
Ronald McGuire
ReplyDeleteThe benefits of moving away from pencil and paper is that the stuff the teachers assign, would be easier to access anywhere then having to worry about bring your books with you to class or anywhere else to complete the assignment. The consequences would be that some people would slowly forget how to write or print things by hand. would almost be like another language. I think that it is a good idea but not to forget the basic things like printing by hand
Tanya W. 01 We live in a computer/electronics world. Its not going any where. The benifits, are there is a vast amount of knowledge at your desktop.You do not have to travel or go anywhere to get it.Communication is quicker. Typing is easier to read.It is great for research.The downfall is that you could forget how to write or communicate on paper. Is is not cost effective due to paper, pencils and lead.
ReplyDeleteNate Baker T/R 6pm
ReplyDeleteDesipte my stance being pro-digital in as many ways as we can be, handwritting in general is one of the areas that I have always disagreed with but only in terms of crusive and ones signature. If you don't have a distinct signature, anyone can forge your name on any documents. As far as writting papers for school, they should all be done through word processing so all papers appear elligible to the teacher. I also find taking notes on a computer far less effective.
Jane N 73
ReplyDeleteI think K-12 student should do all the assignments on the paper. This will help them to know how to write and the spelling of the words and also reading.By doing this will enable them to use digital devices better.On the other hand tech devices are fast and easy to use.
Marie P. L 08 Online
DeleteIn response to Jane N 73
I agree with you Jane because even with the technology in place children still need to know spelling, and writing using pencil/paper even for future jobs because some companies are still doing things the old fashion way.
Julian L 09
DeleteThat's an interesting point. I failed to realize that without pen and paper training, children wont be experienced in writing by hand (Especially cursive), and that's essential.
Jane N-73 in response to Jeremy Brey
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that K-12 need to learn how to write and read. This will help them on how to use the digital.
I think it is great that schools are now moving more towards digital learning as it reduces the huge substantial amount of paper and raw resources that schools consume nationwide. It also prepares them to be able to work on technology more efficiently. The only drawback I can see is that it can be distracting from the assignment as the student is working on an iPad, for example. Of course one can also say its more engaging BECAUSE the student is working on an iPad. So in conclusion, I would say that overall I think schools should go (more) digital, and that then benefits outweigh the cons.
ReplyDeleteDerek S. Soc 1101 (41208)
ReplyDeleteI personally believe that all grades should learn the old-fashioned way. There are so many networking sites that would be a distraction to students in the classroom and I don't think making everything digital is the answer. I have siblings who are in school using computers instead of books and they're constantly on facebook/twitter. Some things need to just be left alone. I don't really know of any pro's to digital learning except that you dont have to carry a ton of books. That's it.
There is technology that blocks sites like facebook/twitter, so I think that can be dealt with - but let's face it, if you want to be distracted it doesn't take facebook or twitter! There are plenty of "old fashioned" distractions - like a good book, or TV show, or just going outside in the sunshine. We all have to learn how to focus and stay in the present - just because the type of distractions change, doesn't mean they weren't always there. Earning a grade the "old-fashioned" way - is about doing the work and getting a grade isn't it?
DeleteThis is very true.
DeleteDerek S. in response to Natalie P. 10
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that reading and writing is key. I think people today rely too much on technology.
Taiwo O. online 08
ReplyDeleteIt is a good idea for moving away from pencil and paper in the classroom to technology because students can have access to all information they needed for thier assignment without carrying tons of books around; but the disadvantage is that students will loose the ability to be creative writer,difficult to engage their memory, and it will be hard to use their motor-skills(Wrist).
Courtney Wintzell online o8
ReplyDeleteI think it will be a good idea because so many things are becoming less old school and more digital. this will also take away from carrying those heavy books around. The disadvantage is that it will take awhile for students to learn how to do things digital and it would be easier to them with digital and they wouldnt engage in any hard awnsers and everything.
Eric B. 12
DeleteThough I will agree that digitizing school literature would be easier in the sense that there are less heavy things to carry between classes, and that there is less motivation to embellish on an answer. I don't quite follow where you were going with 'and everything' this almost seems the poster child kind of answer of a digitized generation.
Courtney Wintzell online o8 in response to Derek S. I totally agree to with what your saying. the grades should be earned old fashioned way how we have done it for years. If we do it any other ways then it will all be just technology.
ReplyDeleteI don't think all assignments should be digital, but I do think that we should increase the amount of assignments that are available digitally. I think students should still learn to read real books and hand write certain assignments just so those skills are not lost - but if we want to keep pace with the rest of the world, we need to understand that technology is here to stay, and we should be teaching students the way that they will be interacting with the real world - digitally.
ReplyDeleteAdetola M.10.
ReplyDeleteI know we are in a technology century,but i dont agree that assignment(reading and writing) should go digital. Bacis learning on how to use pencil, and praticing how to write on paper should be impacted to the K students, before introducing them to technology. Technology is just meant to enhace the knowledge they have.
Adetola M.10 in response to rachel Wilsey.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Rachel. Children should thought how to learn to read real books and hand wirte assignment, because this is first basic thing they need in earlier stage before introducing them inot the digital world.
Eric B.12
ReplyDeleteThough I believe the introduction to technology is important and in this day and age a necessity, I do not think that full immersion right away is the right thing to do. By making things like writing assignments digital for young children creates a generation of lax individuals in the area of spelling. Children would relay to heavily on a spell check program rather then learning to spell on their own and it would almost create a new form of illiteracy.
Marie P. L. 08 Online
ReplyDeleteI strongly believe that children should have the opportunity to learn how to use paper and pencil first to do reading and writing assignments at the beginning and then start with the technology in high school. Both methods are important.
Bola T. online 12
DeleteI agree with you in this regard since children brains are like sponge so they need to adapt with the use of pencil and paper to learn adequately how to effectively write down things that will become memorable. Like the old saying “ the best brain is the pen”.
Beatrice w34 in response to Marie p.l 08
DeleteI do agree with you that children to have opportunity to learn how to read and write when doing their assignments and use the technology latter.
Bola T. online 12
ReplyDeleteAllowing public schools to have all assignments (reading, writing, etc.) be digital is not a good idea because our K-12 students are our future that need to know how to write and read in their white-collar jobs. Though, they need to know how to use tech devices, but there should be a balance within the two edge of the continuums, that is, knowing how to read and write too.
The benefits of moving away from pencil and paper are as follows:
• The student will be vast with technology and they will be able to invent devices in future that will benefit the economy.
• It will give students more opportunity for multiple ways of creating, discovering and communicating information in various formats and voices.
• The student brain will be more developed, and they will be able to think smartly using these tech devices because it will educate them with high level skills to access, evaluate and analyze.
• They will be able to contend with the use of tech device with their contemporary in other countries.
The consequences of moving away from pencil and paper are as follows:
• Tech devices may become a distraction for students.
• Individual student learning differences differs. some students might not be able to cope with some devices which may affect their performance in school
• It will affect the student in future because in a developed economy like the U.S the cursive writing still exist which might hinder those with high tech skill from coping.
Joan M . 08 in response to Tate F. 08
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely right. K-12 should not used digital , they should learn to memorise, apply the basic of handwritting in which someone can always rely in case there is no electronics. People are just becoming too independant of those machines.
Porchia H. 10
DeleteI agree that they should not go digital! Technology is amazing, however, it isnt standing. It is ever changing and extremely unpredictable. To build our future generation without the knowledge necessary in order to function without technology would be one of the most catastrophic things we as America could do. I dont have kids, but when I do have kids I would not allow them to attend a school that souly taught via digital means. I would put them in home school or in a private school that was appropriate.
Joan M. 08
ReplyDeleteWell, most of people have already said what I am about to say. With the new technologies, we save a lot of time, people can learn faster and revise easier , everybody can have access to the lessons even the disable one. Unfortunately, people are becoming too dependent of those machines and we can observe a change in habits and attitudes toward the youth especially. Personally, i think K-12 should keep on only learning through paper and pencil because they should always rely on heir brains first before any electronics. Machines can stop working at anytime and are not 100% reliable.
John Marchant 08 Online
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't make all of the assignments be digital, but I do think that there needs to be a balance between the two. For math and science, I think that you could probably do 50/50 in terms of balancing the two because most of the things that you will turn in will be tests, and it saves a lot of time for the computer to just automatically grade the tests. For English; however, I believe that it should be closer to a 20/80 mix with a great focus on the writing with pen and paper because it is more important than knowing how to write on a computer, which is typically less formal anyway. The most obvious benefit to switching all assignments to digital (not that I think they will) would be that it would save a great deal of time with grade and giving instant feed back. One consequence would be the lack of human interaction with a teacher, which may take away from the amount of knowledge that is taken in.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteJust like all things, there are pros and cons. And just like all things, there must be a balance. I personally think my kids' charter school has a great balance between electronic technology and old fashioned paper/pen. They are allowed to study, take quizzes, create power point presentations and projects online. In middle school (I have an 8th grader), they are given two books for each subject: a hard copy that stays in the class room and a digital copy that stays at home. This way the kids do not have to haul heavy books back and forth between home/school AND there is no excuse for ever forgetting your book or your assignments. All homework assignments are accessed through a parent portal. However, each student must maintain an agenda by writing down there assignments and reminders. The agendas are checked once a week and the kids will get a "mark" if the agendas are not filled out or if they are lost or if they are messy. The kids are also given assignments that require handwriting in class and for homework. Only a few assignments can actually be turned in typed from a computer.
ReplyDeleteOne of my good friends is a high school teacher at a school in another state. She teaches the really gifted kids in Literature. She recently had a guest speaker come in to speak to her class. The next day she asked her class to write a thank you note to the speaker and bring in an addressed/stamped envelope so they could mail the speaker thank you cards. Only ONE of her students knew how to address and stamp an envelope. Only ONE had ever been taught how to do that and had ever written actual letters. She was very sad by this. This is a great example of what can happen when you have too much technology in a classroom and at home.
My daughter is in the 8th grade and one of the very few in her class that knows how to write in cursive. I taught her how when I homeschooled her. I also had her write letters to cousins and pin pals. She is required to write thank you cards and mail them out. My boys are younger, but are also being taught these things.
Jenn L 08
Knowing how to write in cursive and address envelopes and write out thanks you cards is a life long skill. It also encourages kids to use a part of their brain they dont normally use when they write in cursive, especially those kids that are not naturally creative. Learning to use pen/paper is an important part of brain development, hand/eye coordination and just good life skills. I am thankful my kids' school has found a nice balance
Megan C 21
ReplyDeleteMy high school classes already have some things that must be done online and using digital devices. It aggravates me! I do not have internet in my home, and when I ask some of my instructors what I've missed on absent days, they say "Check [so and so website] for the assignments."
Some people can not afford to make a special trip to here or there to get something that the instructor is too lazy to just give them. I do not think work should all be digitized. There should be an OPTION to do work digitally or with paper, but it should NOT be mandatory.
Raygan D. online 08 in response to Megan C.
DeleteI completely agree with you, while i do love using technology i do find it is highly unfair to make it mandatory for everyone to go along with it and it is not right for the old fashion pencil and paper way to be so discouraged everyone is entitled to their preferences.
Megan C. 21 in response to Jenn Le Roy:
ReplyDeleteI completely agree! It is sad that this generation is slowly losing age-old skills!
Julian L. 09
ReplyDeleteI think that it would be very beneficial to transfer over to digital education. Searching for information would be faster (Using the Find command), as would typing. I was born in 1991 and I only started using computers when I was 16 (HighSchool). Today, I study with a book in one hand and a computer in reach of the other, to me, it's the most efficient way to complete my work. I have to admit that using a computer is faster and more efficient but it is way easier to get side tracked when your studying device is also a machine of endless entertainment. I think it's inevitable for the world to almost fully convert into educational technology. Soon enough, books will be marveled at in museums!
If we can't trust the current school system with properly educating our children now, why throw in even more variability. I saw on the news a few days ago that almost 80% of high school grads from New York City Schools had to take remedial courses before admission into Community Colleges. In Atlanta I can't imagine that the statistics could be that much better. I think that grammar and spelling are dying off anyway due to technology, so we ought to not increase the speed of this with spell check on spelling tests. Also, I don't believe the school system could afford to provide the required technology to those who can't afford it, and their parents certainly couldn't either. I'm sure many Elementary students and middle school students would also drop their laptops or Ipads in the mud, or on the floor, or use them as ball bats, leading to many replacements.
ReplyDeleteGiana Deleon
DeleteCRN 41210
Very good points about grammar and spelling! I relate to your views! I feel school systems are having a hard time developing what to do with our children because the way technology is shifting our worlds but this is also teaching our children ways to interact with technology over interacting with each other. This can create a better person in the long to be able to have young generations interact with each other over interacting with technology. Schools are trying to shift their focus to having better business men and women not better people being released into society. It seems they are no longer concerned with teaching but are concerned with educating our children to be of business.
Amy Hedrick 08 I believe that we need to teach our children the proper techniques of hand writing and spelling but realize that, especially hand writing, is becoming a thing of the past. If it is not going to be taught then we definitely should move into the 21st century and go digital. Some of the benefits include going paperless for the environment, instant access to a plethora of information, and encouraging a generation that has already gone digital except in the classroom. On the down side, what physical, mental and emotional effects are we inviting by being on screen constantly. Also, there are many unsafe sites that I would not want my children to have access to. Over all I think a digital education is the way of the future, even leaving the concrete classroom behind.
ReplyDeleteNatasha E. online 12
DeleteIf we have computers at school, the school system can block the bad sites so the children can't get on them. I feel like it is ok for things to be in the past and new things to develop, but we just can't stop using paper and pencil, because it helps children develop in motor skills and coordination. People do not realize what affect that has on us especially at a young age.
S. Castro online 12
ReplyDeleteEveryone has seen a post-apocalyptic movie or show where all electronic devices are somehow destroyed. Not that I'm personally a doomsday preper or anything but if world war 3 where to ever begin I think everyone would agree that the best way to make a country defenseless would be to cut all electronic capabilities to that country. That hair brained scenario is the main thing that makes me uncomfortable with teaching our future generations to be totally reliant on electronic and digital communication.
Kristina .M online 12 in response to S. Castro online 12
DeleteI agree with this statement. Power outages can happen at anytime and as a society it would serve us to be prepared. An over dependence on technology could result in a catastrophic that could easily be diverted.
Giana
ReplyDeleteDeleon
CRN41210
I feel there will be no drastic benefit to those children who are deprived of what a pencil and paper can offer the mind. Writing is not only a way to communicate which can be done in a number of ways, but what separates writing on a sheet of paper and using technology, is writing helps to build the mind and develops stronger mental capabilities. If they take writing away what other ways have they implemented to substitute the development of mental capabilities through what writing can offer? From my knowledge of writing, it can create neurological pathways which can help the mind process information but also to develop ideas, as well as to process that information with accuracy and speed. The more a person writes the more these pathways develop. Let’s say you want to make a short cut through a wooded area that is not usually walked through. Just as a person can make a trail through woods on leaves by treading on them numerous times for short cuts, this is what is happening to the mind as you write and develop writing skills. Writing creates short cuts to ideas and helps to receive information faster. I do not see how taking writing away can help an individual person. I see this helping business in the long run which is becoming a priority over helping each individual person be something of true value over true value for business, and for money. Schools I feel are teaching our generations to become business people. This is not always a good thing to me because so many sacrifices are made for the sake of a business (which is sometimes inhuman sacrifices) and I feel this leads towards inhuman acts. If it’s good for the business it’s considered good. If it is good for humanity and cannot receive a profit off of it, it is usually discounted and discredited as anything worthy. I think this is taking away from offering our generations to come, the full potential they may never know they are capable of because technology is so depended on but can easily replace them. And in time more advance technology will develop that may remove what a person has been trained their entire life to become just to be replaced.
Lucinda S online 08
ReplyDeleteIn response to Bola T,I agree with many of your response to K-12 going or not going digital. I do believe that they will surely become distrated.
In my opinion, the basics of reading, writing and math should be done on paper. Computors are not reliable and they depend on power, and they usually are very costly. They are many families that have difficulty feeding their family much less thinking of purchasing a computor for home.
Never give up on the history of learning and teaching. My grand-daughter had to teach me a great deal about the computor, and I had to teach her the basics of doing math on paper.
K-12 should always include assignments done on paper. Split the learing 1/3 digital and 2/3 the old fashion way. When the power is out, if you can read and write on paper, life will go on.
S. Castro online 12 in response to Dustin S.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree with you more about your statement, especially with children being carless with their government issued laptops. It's not like the U.S. dollar is suffering or anything, let’s write another stimulus plan to equip every child with two laptops.
In response to Megan 08
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you. The old-fashioned way is the best way to teach anything. Old school never hurt no body!
Sonya R 08
Kristtina. M online 12
ReplyDeleteI believe that technology is an important part of education and that a part of the main curriculum should be dedicated to it. However I don't believe it that other subjects should be 'invaded' by technology. There are pros and cons to technology in the classroom and it should be regulated k-12.
ReplyDeleteBola T. online 12
Inrespond to Marie P.L 08,I agree with you in this regard since children brains are like sponge so they need to adapt with the use of pencil and paper to learn adequately how to effectively write down things that will become memorable. Like the old saying “ the best brain is the pen”.
V Vazquez 01
ReplyDeleteThe danger of this is the ridiculous expense it would take to give every student this digital change, there is however no harm in showing students how to use a computer early, as it will benefit them later much more. Perhaps teaching them to type on the computer with these tasks part time would be more beneficial than full on digital teachings.
Cam S. 12
ReplyDeleteWell when it comes to writing by hand vs. typing on a computer or typing into an ipad, i think that writing has many good points but many more bad points to keep around. God forbid the power actually go out for good and we are completely typing and not writing at all we would all be upnthe creek wthout a paddle. Many good points are, it is much faster, there is spelling and grammer check and also it honestly just goes with the times.
Cam S. 12
ReplyDeleteIn response to Elia V. 12.
I totally agree with everything you've said. My little sister is five and just started school and she is almost as good with my ipad and iphone as i am but she also is learning to write names. Im pretty sure that they've definitely got the perfect touch of a little of both in the schools.
Beatrice w 34
ReplyDeleteI believe the digital technology is moving in very fast,and its making work easier but i think its better for the children to have the opportunity to learn how to use paper and pen especially up 12 grade. then when going to collage get introduced to digital technology.
Howard C. 01
ReplyDeleteI believe that paper and pencil should still be taught even though technology does not require it any longer. Technology is a double edged sword. Although it provides great advances for mankind it also can be relied upon to often creating a dumbed down public that does not understand or know how to do things on there own. Technology should not be ignored in education because it provides numerous great uses; however, its good to know how to actually do something by hand if necessary.
Natasha E. Online 12
ReplyDeletePaper and pencil should continue to be used in school. In such an early age we start to develop how to write and spell. With the use of computers it auto corrects everything. We need to learn to develop our hand writing skills and learn to spell. Using a pencil helps with coordination and fine motor skills. Writing helps develop these skill that we need everyday. The positive this is that less trees are used and we are saving the environment.
Christine W. 27
DeleteI totally agree with you. Not only do we need to develop handwriting and spelling skills, but human communication skills as well. It drives me crazy to be spending time with someone and they spend their whole time on their phone off somewhere else.
Crystal White 41210 CrystalW10
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post. To me it seems as though we are already using technology for the majority of assingnments and tasks for school age children and even college students. The pro to moving to having all assignments submitted through some sort of technological devise is that it can help our teachers grade assignments faster which gives teachers more time to focus on other areas, less paperwork to track, and students and parents can stay up on a students grades. Some cons are that when assignments are submitted through some technological device and that device experiences issues it can lead to a larger problem, I think it's harder to make sure that the actual student is completing the work and not some one else. I personlly feel we are already too dependent upon technology and that we should maintain some of our older principals.
Crystal W 10 Crystal White 41210 In response to Howard C 01
ReplyDeleteHoward I totally agree with you. Technology definitely has its pros and cons. Like you I believe that increasing our use of technology only leads to a more dumbed down lazy public. It is important to know how to do things on your own before allowing technology to do it for you. Especially when you take lanuage arts into consideration.
Raygan D. online 08
ReplyDeleteI definitely do not like the idea of completely going into technology especially for elementary and middle school. Handwriting is a basic skill that everyone should know how to do kids at an early age need to develop how to write and spell. We would only be crippling students by giving them computers with the automatic spell check system right off the bat.
Though technology has it's environmental benefits as well so I would say that as children get higher in the level of schooling then they should be allowed to use computers especially since older grades tend to have far more assignments and by using technology it would really save a lot more trees.
I myself learn better hand on. book and paper. I would much rather any day work out of a book then off a computer. Computers are great to research but using a computer primarly for everything is a mistake. They say americans are lazy already take away their need to learn and write. I myself wish college was more book and paper. I believe my grades would be so much better but i have to adapt to this new technology. But i dont like it and it definately hurts my grades.
ReplyDeletesandra f.
soc 1101
Trina H 12
ReplyDeleteI believe that moving to digital instead of handwriting everything takes away the personality of the grade in some instances. Yes, we all love spellcheck, but if the children always have that then can they be the next spelling bee winner? Would they need to use an online dictionary to find it fast? Yes, it's good to know how to use the world of technology. However, it is necessary to know how to use our own common sense and how to display that if needed, without the aid of a computer aided device. Of note, is the fact that so many personalities are developed in writing. The thoughtfulness put into writing by hand sometimes far outweighs the benefits of electronic devices. I can remember studying handwriting for analysis on personalities. Yes, we all have a personality that shows in our handwriting, such as procrastination, detail orientation, etc.
In my perspective, I think thart schools should use technical devices in school work because it would be very beneficials to teachers and students. Sometimes teachers cannot read the students hand writing so teachers have their students type their essays on a computer.
ReplyDeleteTo me, it is a mistake to be using computers in schools schools because it really kills the art of hand writing, drawing and even painting. Computers such be use to assist teachers and students and not the otherway round where it has totaly replace the blackboard.
ReplyDeleteFlorimon
David H. 01
ReplyDeleteMoving away from pencil and paper could be good thing, with as much influence as technology has on youth today, it could keep them a little more interested. However, kids are now very comfortable using electronics throughout the day, so it could probably also distract them while working. Learning digitally my not be bad, but if it got test scores higher across the board somehow, then why not right?
Maricela E. online 10
ReplyDeleteI don't think that schools should go digital because everyone uses the gadgets enough already. Kids are always trying to find ways to make things easier but don't realize that easy isn't always better. Schools should keep the writting alive for as long as they can. Sad to say that one day everything will be digital.
Christine W. 27
ReplyDeleteI hate the idea of everything going over to digital. I think things are too digital as it is. K-12 should stick to the old fashion way of doing work while still incorporating in technology. It is sad to look back and see how different things were just from when I was in grade school. I feel like people used to communicate better and on a more personal level. Now people rely too much on technology to get things done and interact with people.
Porchia H. Online 10
ReplyDeleteI THINK HAVING EVERYTHING FOR K-12 STUDENTS DIGITAL IS AN ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE IDEA! We are living in a culture of technology, there is no denying that. There is also no denying that technology will only continue to advance as time goes on. So, I think it is completely understandable to incorporate technology into their learning process. There is, however, a difference in incorporating it amongst their traditional learning, and having everything be completely digital. The main problem with it is that we would no longer be teaching kids how to use critical thinking skills and function without technology. Anything technological could crash completely at any given moment. If we are not teaching kids how to think and function without technology, what will they do technology was unavailable?
Trina H 12 in response to Porchia H 10
DeleteYour view is definitely full of truth! Even adults today who are dependent on technology for their jobs are forced to sometimes resume the traditional way of handling things if disasters occur. Although most of us know how to handle the situation, it seems to stump everyone for a moment! Imagine if we take that basis away from the young people?
Maricela E. 10 in response to Christine 27
ReplyDeleteI agree with you 100%. I actually have a friend that can't even talk to in in person, we chat online because she can't express herself fully in person she says.
Whitney c10
ReplyDeleteI dont think they should make everything digital at all. I think technology is great and all but sometimes people need to take a step back and look at what its doing (making everyone lazy) at some point someone is going to have to write something down in life whether its an importsnt memo or their thoughts and if its all digitalized then noone is really going to havr practiced writing and its just going to be a mess.
Whitney c 10 in response to Porchia H. Online 10
ReplyDeleteI COMPLETELY agree with your views on this subject. Children need the critical thinking skills and they arent going to get them stuck on a computer all the time.
James A 75
ReplyDeleteI think that k-8 should be on pencil and paper to help develop writing and organization skills. High school should be done digitally to save time, money, and trees.
Cameron R10
ReplyDeleteIf you move away from hard copies their is always a chance that the digital could cause problems with loading times memories getting erased systems going down for long periods of time. The plus side is that if it is all digital you wont have to worry about having to look up material just type in what you need and it comes right up in the text.
Cameron R10 in response to Whitney c10
ReplyDeleteEverything digital would be cool its faster easier and it seems to be the way we all are heading.
Brittany S. Soc. 1101
ReplyDeleteAlthough I feel a sense of nostalgia when using a pen and piece of paper, I for one do much better at writing among a computer. I feel a since of skepticism though, because I feel there may too much reliance on technology which could end in disaster. Yet, it seems only logic to advance as we grow more industrial. Also, it seems more beneficial to use a computer to write as opposed to paper, in which is a waste of trees from our environment. I feel indifferent, but I am ready to take the leap. :-)