NEGATIVE - CRITIQUE OF TECHNOLOGY

NEGATIVE - CRITIQUE OF TECHNOLOGY — INTERNET 168

A DISASTER FOR THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

INCREASED USE OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES IS RUINING AMERICAN EDUCATION

Paul Van Slambrouck, Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor, The Christian Science Monitor, December 28, 1999, SECTION: USA; THE LONGER VIEW; Pg. 2 TITLE: In world of high tech, everyone is an island // acs-EE2001

Fixing an underperforming education system is one of the nation's top priorities, according to opinion surveys. And the rush is on to equip and wire American schools for Internet access, a project that will cost $ 100 billion, according to some estimates. But is this the answer? Some see it as a huge and costly expedient that will do little to correct fundamental problems in the schools. Some even see more harm than good with greater use of computers by children at a young age. "In schools, everyone assumes a great plus, but we see lots of problems arising" with more use of computers, says Joan Almon of the Alliance for Childhood. The alliance, a Maryland-based interest group formed earlier this year and dedicated to childhood issues, lists the impact of computers on children, both in and out of the classroom, as a top concern. According to the alliance, computer use is harming children physically and there is little evidence it helps them academically or socially. "Children have less and less contact with real human beings," complains Ms. Almon.

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES ARE DEGRADING HIGHER EDUCATION

Concerns about technology and education don't stop at the elementary and secondary levels, either. Higher education is rapidly expanding the use of "distance" or online education, and some critics are appalled at the prospects. A number of prominent universities have struck partnerships with companies in the development of for-profit courses and educational materials. Part of the cultural fabric David Noble of York University has written a series of papers that have received wide circulation attacking the concept, calling distance education programs "digital diploma mills" motivated by money. His latest report in November noted that "it is a sign of our current confusion about education that we must be reminded of this obvious fact: that the relationship between people is central to the educational experience."