Responding to "The Computer Delusion"

Technological advances, which seem to evlove each and every day, are only good when they assist our lives. I believe that was the message Mr. Oppenheimer was trying to express in this article, and while I can agree with this statement I have strong reservations about his arguments. In the sense that I can agree with his argument about the almost oversaturation of technology in our schools, but not the overall argument he seems to make about technology not being a valuable tool.

I feel that there is definitely still a need for vocational programs within our high schools, and that technology courses or money being spent on technology should not take away from that. However, it must be remembered that the times are changing and many of these very vocations that once were hands-on or labor based practices, have evolved into needing technology skills to complete. No longer are car mechanics just popping the hood to see what's going on underneath it. As cars become more computer based, so do the tools to evaluate and fix them. Therefore, it is vital that students are provided the opportunities to learn how to use these technolies as a way to aid their future vocations - whatever they choose it to be. It is also, consequently, extremely pertinent that the schools respect such vocational programs and continue to provide them with the latest tools needed, just as they had done in the past.

As for the argument about the "artificial experience," I will agree that nothing can compare to actually doing something or experiencing something for yourself, but this does not mean that the role of technology need to take away from that. Technology should be utilized as an enhancement tool, it should at the very least highligh the important skills needed so that the learning experience can be optimal. In the end, it comes down to helping students creat a relationship with technology. Each one of us has needed to find the ways in which technology, in all its glamorous uses, can enhance our lives - this is what our students need to learn through experience as well. Students need every opportunity they can get to play around with and explore the benefits of technology to understand how it works best for them.