Computers in the classroom
Are computers in the classroom a help or a hindrance to our children?
I was scanning the CBCNews website and came across an article written by Robert Smol about getting computers out of the classroom. He argues that children are losing their researching skills and, thanks to word processors, their ability to write without spelling or grammatical errors. Robert says:
Every year I encounter more and more university-bound senior students who do not know the difference between words such as “their” and “there” or “too” and “to,” since word processing programs don’t always pick up the error.
“Sew bye virtue of spell Czech their wood seam too bee nut thing rung width work like this.”
Strangely enough, this very morning I was proofreading my grade 7 son’s homework assignment, “Write 10 creative their sentences.” Four of the ten sentences were incorrect. He was using their when it should have been they’re. My son is a smart child, and no, I’m not just saying that because I’m his mother. Once I explained to him why the sentences were wrong, he fully understood and did fine coming up with different examples.
Photo by Michael Surran
So, what’s my point? My 12 year old, though he has computers in his classroom, is still being taught the difference between similar words. He’s also being taught various researching methods. He’s had assignments in the past where he was required to use 3 different resources, making him reach out beyond the internet. I think computers in the classroom have advantages that far outweigh the disadvantages. They make information more easily accessible on the whole, which means kids are more likely to look something up that they’re curious about with a computer handy, rather than if they needed to take the time to go to their school or public library.
With that said, I do, in part, agree with Robert. Not that long ago, I came across one of my old journals from grade 3, as well as a research project I did on Jupiter. Comparing not just my spelling and grammar, but also the level of neatness to that of my son and his peers (girls included), there was a huge difference. Is this because our kids are spending more time typing than they are writing?
There needs to be a happy balance, I believe. I think there are significant benefits to having computers in the classroom, but teachers – as well as parents – need to also teach their kids other ways to get information, educate them that not everything you read online is necessarily fact, and, perhaps, put a pencil in their hands a little more often.
Thank you! I am an English teacher, and I have tried for a long time to get students to believe exactly the things you’ve written in this article. I’ve taught them not to change a sentence just because the computer tells them to. Often it marks a sentence as a fragment when it’s really just a less-common way of expressing something. Spell check is a great tool, but it doesn’t remove the need for people to know grammar and spelling. The computer is a machine; it cannot replace the human brain.
In terms of research, getting tudents o go beyond the internet has become nearly impossible. I’ve had grade 11 students who have never signed out a book in the school library, and who had no idea how to go about finding information in one. It was a demanding process to work through this with them, but definitely worth it.
I suggest that you check your comment for spelling.
Billy
I am not a teacher, but rather a school division trustee. I have long had an interest in the use of technology in the classroom. For the most part I do agree with Rhonda, but I would add the following comments.
We are fast approaching a world where our students will have almost instantaneous access to any information that they desire through the use of various devices connected to the web. This is the world that our kids have all grown up in. There is research that indicates that our kids actually learn differently than their parents. Their brains are wired differently as a result of having grown up with video games. It does not make any sense to try and teach them without using the tools that they have grown up with, understand and are comfortable with. The role of the teacher may well evolve into more of a coaching and steering role as our students use their technology to find the answers to posed questions. The days of a teacher providing students with a lot of factual information that they are supposed to memorize or remember are fast coming to an end.
Yes, they have to be taught how to evaluate the information on the web and probably even “steered” in the right direction by the teacher with lists of recommended resources. And although there is nothing wrong with teaching them how to use a library, the most likely thing is that libraries will in a few years be things of the past. Once virtually all information has been digitized, physical libraries will cease to have any appeal except for those of us older folks that like to hold a physical book. This is unlikely to apply to our kids or the generations to come after them.
Anyone wanting to read more on this topic would do well to start with the writings of Marc Prensky found at http://www.marcprensky.com . Marc’s “The Role of Technology in the Classroom” article gives the thoughts of one of the leading thinkers in the field on this topic.
Darryl, perhaps you should look at the handwriting of ANY 12 year old. Their penmanship is no better than that of a 5 year old. Computers have allowed us to access information and learn about our world instantaneously, but children have become lazy when it comes to writing. As for allowing them to use the “tools” they have grown up with, that is an ignorant thought. The human brain must be challenged and children can easily learn how to use the Dewey decimal system to access information in the library that EVERY school has. As well, the human brain is the MOST complex computer we have access to.
As for libraries becoming a thing of the past in our schools, then maybe we should be looking at replacing trustees who have this dim view….
I worry about the TYPE of information being placed and found on the internet…WHO checks it for accuracy. Anyone can put information on a website, but how many “experts” are there to verify it as correct. When a book is published, it is subject to very specific rules and guidelines and in the case of non-fiction, has to be accurate..if it isn’t, it doesn’t take long for someone to find and challenge it. As a former library employee, I found children who learned how to use the old card catalogue system, and books, had far better research skills than today’s children, who really struggle to find information for projects etc. and who seem to get lost in the myriad sources found on-line.
You wrote “It does not make any sense to try and teach them without using the tools . . .”
The correct grammatical form is “. . .to try to teach . . .”
Billy
> their ability to write without spelling or grammatical errors. Robert
> says:
A good program that look at is Spell Check Anywhere (SpellCheckAnywhere.Com). It adds spell checking to all programs.
You missed a few words in your comment. Did you want to say ‘a good program that they could look at is Spell Check Anywhere.’ You may need a proof reader program.
I do agree that computers do take away from learning proper spelling and grammatic marks. Word processors take away from learning why things are they way they are like “their” and “there”. However, I don’t think computers should be taken away from classrooms totally. Computers have a lot to offer students. But they shouldn’t be used for everything.
If you look at a new site http://www.elovivo.com you can’t help but believe that computers in the classroom are essential. This site offers access to free multilingual learning and brings people together from all points of the globe.
It also teaches English as it addresses issues of sentence structure,spelling and pronunciation.
As a high school student, I think that having computers in a class room is an advantage to the students. It is an advantage because, I would rather look something up online than take the time to go to the library and sign out a book. Computers are also helpful for neatness. I mean my writting is neat but I find it easier to go back and read my notes if they are on the computer rather than on loose leaf. Also, some teachers require you to use the computer for notes and/or projects. We have a fairly small school but there are not enough computers for every class to be in a computer lab all the time. So having computers in class rooms is a must in my school. Finally, teachers actually encourage us to bring laptops if we have them so we can be neater and so it takes less time to write notes and look up things.
I wish that the Internet existed during my school years. Instead of wasting so much time in a library, I could have acquired the information I needed quickly. Also the assignments would have looked much better too.
but I bet you are a far better researcher than those who have grown up using computers …
I am one of those people who grew up between having no computer in a classroom to having access to computer labs in high school. With growing up in between I did have to learn both ways of research. Now a days though Most library’s in a school or in public have computers for research. The card catalog is now electronic so kids even if they had to go to a library just type in what they are looking for and just have to be able to count to find the right book.
Personally reading off a computer screen can actually get tiresome if done for too long. With a book however does not strain the eyes as much and I find that in book for there is less to distract someone then being on the computer with the temptation of playing games or checking things like Facebook.
As “Daryll” stated kids are wired differently but in my unofficial opinion parents now a days give their kids cellphones and video games at too young an age and that’s all they learn to use before getting into the “homework” stage of school. If kids were given both video games and books to work with at a young age they could learn the joys of both worlds. Its not just the parents that have to keep their children educated but the teachers can also TEACH students how to research using alternate means such as the book and not have then rely totally on computers.
Basically I’m not against having computers in the classroom but they don’t need to be used 24/7 and that teachers could actually bring students into a library once in a while so they don’t have to become so technologically dependent.
I suggest that you review the use of the apostrophe.
“library’s” is not the plural form
“Its” is not the contraction of “it is”
Billy
And it’s “nowadays” not now a days
Billy – your comments, pointing out errors in other people’s comments, have made this a most enjoyable read. Ordinarily I have a tendency to grit my teeth in frustration as I attempt to navigate through the mire of bad spelling and grammar looking for the occasional gem of a comment. Thank you.
Marc C.
P.S. Have you noticed that quality of the writing in the articles themselves has also decined?
then / than
there / their / they’re
too / to
its / it’s
and so on…
“kids are wired differently but in my unofficial opinion parents now a days give their kids cellphones and video games at too young an age and that’s all they learn to use before getting into the “homework” stage of school”
I form an early age had access to video games, TV, computers, but I also learned that homework is a priority above all other things and learned to do it first. I am a teenager, have had cellphones and have very seldom seen a use from them. I agree most parents give their kids cellphones to early in life.
“Basically I’m not against having computers in the classroom but they don’t need to be used 24/7.”
As an active high school student I have seen the widespread use and requirement for computers, but I believe they should be used more then they are in classes. For many people in my classes who use laptops for all of their notes, I have seen that they are also the most organized students in the classes.
Learning virtually anything (mental of physical activities) is at it’s height of efficiency and effectiveness if one is INTIMATELY AND ACTIVELY involved in the process of LOCATING Information, READING, DISCUSSING, WRITING (Handwriting OR Typewriting), VERBALISING, and DOING (in some cases).
LOCATING: While computers are excellent at finding pointers to or actual information/data on virtually any subject, they also leave a lot to be desired in the way of finding the required informatin/data in the ‘real world’. Indeed they could be considered a form of sensory deprivation in that the information is presented in a purely visionary way with no tactile or ‘feedback’ sensation. Whilst computers can considerably aid the initial effort at starting to learn something by doing the initial research work and leg-work, it should not be allowed to be the only ‘tool’ in the learning process.
WRITING
READING (Eye-Work): It is definately and absolutely necessary to read about the subject one is attempting to learn, but on it’s own, is again only part of the story. I truly and earnestly hope that books do not go out of fashion in the computerised future. I personally find that especially for a learning process, a physical book is quicker and easier to handle and I believe the embedding of the information gleaned in the process sticks more effectively. I find a book can actually be quicker and easier tool to ‘use’ because it is much easier to jump around (forwards of backwords) to re-read a few words or to look ahead in anticipation. I can actually flick through a number of pages at a very fast rate to track down something I read at some earlier stage in the process, and correlate my reading with several related books at a the same time. The main problems or niggles I have about reading lots of text (hopefully interspersed with diagrams or photos etc.) on a computer is that one can only realistically see one page at a time (often only perhaps only say 70% of a page at a time due to the necessary magnification level to limit eye strain. I can’t quite put my finger on it but reading text on a computer screen seems to be more tiring on the eyes that printed text on a paper page. Also, books are eminently more portable that computers (even Laptops or netbooks (screens too small anyway)) and can be read in situations where Laptops cannot easily be accessed – e.g. out of communication situations etc., or even in situations where it’s easy to hold a book but not hold and use a Laptop.
DISCUSSING: Learning cannot be effectively done if it is only to be done purely visually through attempting to memorise facts and figures, names and numbers, etc. It is essential to examine those details through discussion with other interested parties (Teachers and students and hopefully experts in the particular field being covered). The brain needs not only to file away the facts but also the significance and understanding of the facts, and in such a way that the memorisation process is ‘short term’. The very act of discussing something with others strengthens the memory bonds through repitition and filling out a body of knowlege on the ‘skeletal facts’.
Computers are a tremendous advance for our civilization and we are just at the beginning of this revolution. However, teachers and parents still need to fulfill their responsibilites and “teach”.
Most of the teachers at my school could be easily be bettered at teaching by a computer, or even a textbook. A large number of the teachers nowadays don’t even car about their students or even teaching they are just in it for the money.
Computers are great but I don’t think it necessary to expose very small children to the complications that can arise. In our community children in Grade 1 are on their computers daily and I do not agree with this at all. I think the schools should limit computer access to the older classes after their English skills have been well indoctrinated.
Comuters in class rooms/ Thats a given. I wish I had that learning tool growing up. I would be more educated in everything and life in general.I would have a great wordly knowellege on my real goal in jobs and our world.Mom, you need to get with the times. new error now.ontario.
Fran, maybe you need to take some english lessons as your grammar and syntax are horrible. Apparently you never picked up a book at all in your formative years. Although the internet is a good research tool, some of the information on said internet is wrong. At least with a encyclopedia I know the information has been researched and vetted to be as accurate as possible.
Surely you meant to say ‘an encyclopedia’ Tim, not ‘a encyclopedia’. That would be poor grammar after all…
You should have proofread your comment before submitting it. Maybe you did, but did not notice the errors.
Billy
You’re sad.
Then I must bow to your obviously superior proofing skills, for I still do not see my error (unless you are referring to the use of ‘encyclopedia’ versus ‘encyclopaedia?) Please feel free to point it out, as I do like to learn from my mistakes.
I wonder if other countries and cultures around the world are dealing with the same challenges, or to what degree this is a North American issue. Is this putting students in other countries at a greater advantage, and are they findings ways to leverage this medium to create an advantage for their graduates?
I would love it if Rhonda would research and write about this perspective. And feel free to use the Internet in your research :-)
Reading the responses to if and how tools should be used in the classroom has led me to question, whether it is the English language that is the problem and not the child, if so many children are making the same errors. Fix the problem not the child!
As the author mentioned, once she explained the difference between their and they’re (and probably there), her son understood. Computers in the classroom are fine but to use spell check, children do need to be taught what is the correct spelling. We can’t expect them to automatically know the difference. In other words, going back to basics.
Computers are great tools for research, writing and rote learning of facts. Where they fail the learner is in the development of concept comprehension and problem solving. As the computer provides more and more of the factual information that was once such an important part of learning, it becomes more important for educators to focus on process and comprehension. The computer frees the learner to have more opportunity to develop learning skills. After all, most factual knowledge has value in problem solving and creation of new ideas only.
I have nothing against computers as I have 2 myself but be that as it may I feel that students rely too heavily on them. Students do not seem to be learning the fundamentals. Ask any student to add a sum or mutiply and they whip out a calculator(what if the batteries die then what). I find this unacceptable. I find that students do not retain alot because the don’t have to, they just open up their computers for the answers; these are the Teflon kids, nothing sticks. I find that even teachers do not teach they administer, their letting the computer do their work instead of teaching.
I whole heartily agree with Author Gray’s article.
Come on teachers start teaching our children.
When I was being educated, teaching was the lowest paid profession but teachers taught with their whole being. Now that teaching is lucrative one would assume a better quality of teaching but unfortunately this appears not so.
how many errors have you made… (alot) a lot are two , batteries are not used they are dry cells, also they can never die since they were never alive, these are just a few of the errors made by those using English today and the past ….
Is that the best you got John S. What are you the language police Mr. dry cell techno geek. You are totally of base, get with the progam. did you correct eveyones errors pin head.
Not off base at all, the problem is not teachers or students, as you probably seeing today there is a be cry when the English language is being change perhaps for the better on the net.
my gramma is grate. i lerned to spel with no komputer skills @ all. eye am now a sucksessful brane stergon.
As a professor at a major university I have had to draw maps to the university library for fourth year students! Many students have had no idea how to research, what to research, how to analyse, and were clueless about basic grammatical structures, and the difference between primary and secondary material. I offered individual weekend writing classes for the lost ones, but often saw no one. I also saw numerous plagerized papers, often more than once, in each and every class. Students did not realize that their professors had, for the most part, read or skimmed most of the work in their field. At the least they had read any material that any good undergrad could find!
I am not against computers in the classroom. If, however, they are just there for note taking and legible work, then maybe we should give students typewriters. Students need to be taught how to research both in a library and on-line. Looking up an academic question on a site that offers semi-nude pictures of the latest starlet is not research. Many academic journals are on line but only at a cost. And given a choice between a thoughtful well-argued article and a poorly-conceived internet article, the student will invaribly pick the latter. I am not saying there is nothing of value on the internet, but that young students (not high school or university) need to learn how to critically select and analyze various works. Universities have tried to teach critical thinking courses which instruct students on comparing and contrasting, on understanding, on consequences, on issues in the subject, on basic grammer and on reading skills. This is grade four work, not university!
Students are not going to pick it up on their own. Parents are not going to teach it. I would bet my mortgage that I have more books (non-academic) in my house, than in all the houses in the next three streets. My university educated next-door neighbour, a father of four, has no books over the toddler reading level. None. When my daughter was in junior high she read her way through a list of banned books, and read all the classics in the library. And is she a literary genius? No, she is in her mid-20s, a highly paid chemist supervising an entire section of a lab, including people with Ph.Ds. Being able to read and write and think got her through university while working full time, and into a decent job previously held by a 42 year old man.
If I was a school trustee who thought that libraries were almost obsolete, I would run- don’t walk- to my nearest local library. There is much going on there! I should add, there there is a big difference between what is available at a local library and a university one. Libraries are evolving, not dying.
Finally, my pet peeves: its= possessive it’s= it is; and
‘should of’ instead of ‘should have.’
And when these “graduates” are trying to get into the workforce they wonder why they have a hard time getting a job. Or why they get passed over for a promotion. I have had resumes sent to me that are just laughable. People can hardly compose a decent cover letter that can pique my interest in the first 10 seconds. They all look like they came out of the same “Resume’s for Dummies” books.
I agree with Baxter.