Chapter seven

This chapter discusses what skeptics and enthusiasts feel about the influence of technology and what it means for education. The chapter focuses on losses and gains from technology. Enthusiasts believe that this wave of technology is going to make the education system greater through customization and individualization. Some argue that students will become dependent on technology if it becomes fully integrated into the school system. Because knowledge can be accessed instantly at the touch of a keyboard, the way children learn has been completely changed from those who lack access to technology. If technology is going to make education so much greater, how will the students who don’t have these technologies at home as well turn out compared to those who do? The chapter states that “children are always comparing themselves to other students, and it is only the best students who feel they are successful.” Education has become a thing of competition. This ends up causing an overwhelming sense of stress and insecurities among many students. As a teacher I will try to stay aware of the fact that not all of my students may have access to technologies such as the Internet or computers. My students will be allowed to use free time to use the Internet for their homework, project, or miscellaneous studies. This will include time before and afterschool during planning times.