Tech Wars

Long Ago in a galaxy far, far away,

a young Jedi teacher sought to educate students through

the implementation of technology. His arch nemesis, implored him

against this methodology and a struggle throughout the universe ensued

TECH WARS A Counterpoint Presentation Against the Implementation of Technology

By: Allyson Dewar, Amber Baker , Chloe Tingley, Chris Turner and Stephanie Green

Introduction

Our presentation begins with struggle over whether or not technology has a force within our schools. We will be using the characters from Star Wars to play the roles of the ongoing debate. Luke Skywalker represents the pro aspect of technology, while Darth Vader encompasses the con aspects of using technology in the classroom. Our purpose is to lure Luke to the Dark Side and convince him that technology is not the save all for schools and should not be implemented due to the ten areas we have focused on. We hope you enjoy the show!2Expansion of Time and Place

The force is strong within me as you know, and I strongly believe in teaching with technology. Obe Wan helped me to realize that students would have access to the Internet 100% of the time while they only spend 5% of that time with teachers. This means their learning can take place anywhere and still have the access they need to course materials and all of the resources of the Internet! Hanging with Jedis, learning online what could be better?Internet 100% of the time while they only spend 5% of that time with teachers (Page, 2007)3Expansion of Time and Place

My young boy, you must know that there is no substitute for an inspiring teacher. Computer technology exists only to complement rather than compete with books and teachers. You can already learn much more anytime, anywhere, from our community leaders, parents, and coaches , just as you did from Obe Wan.

Technology as a compliment to teachers (Cast, 2009)Community as the forefront of learning (Chaika, 2006)4Cost

It still doesnt seem to add up. Textbooks now are becoming very expensive and in some colleges can cost up to $700 per book! You can get a laptop now for $350 and it can be connected to almost any content area, saving our schools tons of money. Through the use of open, free educational tools on the web, the dependence on expensive paper textbooks can be reduced. Not to mention the cost of paper that schools incur through endless copies and notebooks. National Association of College Textbooks (2008)Laptop Cost-Best Buy.comThrough the use of open, free educational tools on the web, the dependence on expensive paper textbooks can be reduced (Page, 2007).

5Cost

Are you aware of the economy Luke? What parents already spend on school supplies? How schools need to cut budgets rather than spend on frivolous technology that constantly needs updates? An average text cost $30 to $100 and has the potential to last more than 15 years. A laptop that would need to be loaded with those texts would cost schools about $1,350 per pupil and would have to be updated yearly! The lowest national estimate for guaranteed Internet access is $10 BILLION a year for at least 5 years. Cutting funding for after school programs and school supplies in favor of technology is educational malpractice!According to the Dayton Daily News, the average parent spends 81.83 and that is before they buy the $25 sketchpad for art class, the $110 calculator for math, and project supplies throughout the year (MacDonald 2009).Cost of Textbooks- California Performance Review (2007)Loaded Laptops Cost Koenig (2004)$10 billion cost-Chaika (2006)Chaika also contends that, "the Internet will not come close to replacing even the most ordinary library until every book of importance is published in digital form, financial arrangements are worked out with publishers, and search engines become as powerful as the index in back of a reference book. Right now, even the most limited local library has much the Internet cannot touch. The lowest national estimate is that it will cost at least $10 billion a year for at least five years to guarantee U.S. school children access to the Internet. Could cutting funding for programs and school supplies to make room for computers be educational malpractice?

6Weight

Hey, Darth!A textbook and three binders weighs easily over twenty-five pounds. A laptop weighs around five pounds. Textbooks cause back injuries and are just boring man!Information from Tech Learning e-magazine March 2007 The Ten Fundamental Reasons for Technology in Education.

Reason 8. WeightThree textbooks and three binders easily weigh over 25lb. A laptop computer weighs about 5lb and provides access to infinitely more material via its own storage and the Internet. A 40Gb hard drive can hold 2 million pages with illustrations; the web is unfathomably large. Right now, students are getting back injuries lugging around a tiny subset of what they need in the form of black marks on slices of dead trees. And it's just static, boring text.

7Weight

Foolish, foolish Jedi. You make me laugh! Computers can lead to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, eye strain, Internet addiction, stress, back problems, and skin rashes. Textbooks cover every topic imaginable. BoringHAyou must be boring!http://bhj.org/journal/2004_4505_jan/html/computer_37.htmComputer Related Health Disorders by: Sumedha JoshiCarpal Tunnel Syndrome: Median nerve pushed by flexor tendons inside the tunnel made up of wrist bones/carpals.Eye Strain: Soreness, irritation, blurred vision, redness, dryness, tenderness of the eyes.Internet Addiction: People lose track of time surfing the Net. People Lose social contacts. They experience job imparement. Many when approached with these issues are in denial.Stress: Computer operators experience more stress than any other occupational group according to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.Back Problems: Posture.Skin Rashes: Skin irritation can occur from the static fields in the screen.Textbooks cover all topics, all subjects, all genres etc. One must have a dull mind if they cant find ANYTHING in a textbook that doesnt interest them.8Learning vs. Teaching

I seriously cant believe we are still having this conversation. With technology, instead of teaching, students can be given projects that require them to learn themselves. Learning is project based, which is waaaaaaay more interesting.Information from Tech Learning e-magazine March 2007 The Ten Fundamental Reasons for Technology in Education.

Reason 3. Learning vs. TeachingTechnology allows the tables to be turned. Instead of teaching (push), students can be given projects that require them to learn (pull) the necessary material themselves. Key to this is the ability to get the information they need any time anywhere, without being in the physical presence of a teacher. This project-based pull approach makes learning far more interesting for the student. I have seen firsthand how students cannot wait to get out of regular classes to go to the after-school robotics project.

9Learning vs. Teaching

Your argument is weak like you! Yes, learning may be more fun but are you actually learning? Much Internet educational content is unorganized and not related to curriculum. Students learning content themselves via computer eliminates interaction with adults and peers creating poor social skills. Not to mention, being glued to a computer means no movement! No active learning Luke my boy!http>//www.educationworld.com/a_admin/admin/admin121.shtmlTechnology in Schools: Some Say It Doesnt Compute!10

Tools vs. TechniquesTechnology skills are essential to prepare students for careers in the modern world. Educational technology will allow teachers to create interactive an exciting lessons that will engage students and help prepare them for the world beyond school. What Teachers Need to Know About Technology. (Zhao, 2003)11

Tools vs. TechniquesYou fool! Teachers do not receive nearly enough training in technology. What little they do get focuses on basic skills and use. Many teachers will lack the pedagogical skills necessary to use the technology effectively. Even if they have the technology, few will move beyond superficial use! Addressing First and Second Order to Change: Strategies for Technology Integration. (Ertmer, 1999)12Dependence

Technology saves students and teachers the time formerly spent hand writing and rewriting material. Mistakes can be easily corrected and even tracked. Technology brings the world to students and gives them the tools to be faster and more efficient. Attention and motivation are often increased with the introduction of technology.Dependence

Luke do not be nave. Technology may be convenient, but over use of technology will turn out students who cannot spell because they have spell check or autocorrect to do that for them. Students are able to cut and paste from anywhere on the internet instead of writing original material. Technology has put everything at students fingertips and soon they will no longer know how to research beyond Google and Wikapedia.ResourcesCalifornia Performance Review. (2007). Chapter Three: Education Training and Volunteerism.ETV14. CPR Report, State of California. Retrieved from: http://cpr.ca.gov/CPR_Report/Issues_and_Recommendations/Chapter_3_Education_Training_and_Volunteerism/ETV14.html

Chaika, G. (2006) Technology in Schools: Some Say It Doesn't Compute! Retrieved from: http://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/admin/admin121.shtml

Dayton Dailey News. (2005). School Supplies Cost $81.83 on Average. Retrieved from: http://www.redorbit.com/news/education/201475/school_supplies_cost_8183_on_average/

Koeing, D. (2004) Texas School Gives Laptops Instead Of Textbooks. Red Orbit News. Retrieved from: http://www.redorbit.com/news/technology/55642/texas_school_gives_laptops_instead_of_textbooks/index.html

Laptops.(2009). At Best Buy.com Retrieved from: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Computers-PCs/Laptop-Computers/abcat0502000.c?id=abcat0502000

Loong, Joe. (2009) The Downside of Technology and the Hive Mind. Retrieved from: http://blog.networksolutions.com/2009/downside-of-technology-dependence-and-the-hive-mind/

MacDonald, S. (2007). The Cost of Technology When Purchasing School Supplies. Associated Content. Retrieved from: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/361330/the_cost_of_technology_when_purchasing.html?cat=25

Meyer, A. & Rose, D.(2009). Learning to Read in the Computer Age. Cast Publications Chapter One: Learning, Teaching and Technology . Retrieved from: http://www.cast.org/publications/books/ltr/chapter1.html

National Association of College Stores. (2008).FAQ on College Textbooks. Retrieved from: http://www.nacs.org/common/research/faq_textbooks.pdf

Page, J. (2007). The Ten Fundamental Reasons For Technology in Education. Tech learning E-Magazine. Retrieved from: http://www.mathopenref.com/site/techreasons.html

Salinitri, Geri, Smith, Kara, & Clovis, Christopher. (2002) The Aural Enabler: Creating a Way For Special Needs Kids to Participate in the Classroom Lesson. Retrieved from: http://smarterkids.org/research/paper12.asp

Resources ContinuedThe End.Even though our young Jedi Knight has been persuaded to the Dark Side, look forward to the sequel:

Technology Strikes Back