What are computers?

Before reading this issue I already had opinion on this subject. After reading this, I feel some people should reconsider the aim of this argument. In the sentence before I misspelled argument, and I was corrected by a tool called spell checker. On my laptop, which is also a tool. Computers are now almost required for all of my work and constructive behavior towards school. I do not agree with the position of computers negatively affecting student growth, as they are used as tools and are good for growth. Computers are a tool best used to support learning. I do though agree that human touch is needed, but computers should not and I doubt ever phase out a human teacher. There will be a person at least programming something on the computer, as computers don't do things on their own. I believe that computers when used as a tool reinforce certain aspects of learning that you might not be able to do all the time. For starters, having a spell checker is like having a teacher helping you all the time. You can easily turn it off, and by doing this would remove the "unfair" use of any word processor, and create a challenge. Yet, when you are learning to write, using a computer's word processor is a great way to learn how to write and structure your work. An example would be if you are writing in a red pen, and the teacher does not like this, you cant change it on paper, you would have to rewrite all of it. With a computer you could easily change a color. Although you lose valid penmanship, the fact that the modern world almost requires you to know computers and how to use them efficiently is a reason good enough to allow them as assistance. When Lowell Monk describes the human touch, humans are inherently flawed. As a teacher my not be able to teach everyone the same way, or even reach them in a way that they may learn. When he uses "The Oregon Trail" as an example, its a tool, you gain knowledge historically and data wise. Being able to navigate menus and do data input is a lot like Microsoft Excel, in where wrong numbers don't work. Bashing a random, old, poorly made simulation game is like bashing medical science in the dark ages. As knowledge and technology increases, tools we use will also benefit. We don't use decapitation for headaches anymore... Same for machines. When he brings up the archaic machines of the 80's and 90's, those were baseline machines that led to what we have today. Technology increases over time, like teaching styles. As more tools become available, I do not see why they shouldn't be capitalized. I personally feel this is a flawed argument because computers are tools and are only as good as the user. You must teach a person how to use a computer, like any other tool.  You cannot expect someone to cut down a tree with an axe without at least knowing how to use the axe. Whom is going to teach the person how to use the axe? A person. So, its an infinite loop of needing humans to learn about and create the tools. This truly is silly.

Sincerely,

Bryan Molyneux 

Some Children Pushed Aside

The discussion of NCLB and restructuring of schools is not my forte, but it is something I now have an opinion about. The fact that some schools get the mushroom treatment is somewhat depressing. The future of young people in america depend on good leadership and stable, nurturing environments. Poverty stricken urban zones and crime ridden cities are not nurturing or stable environments. I grew up in a rural area, so I do not truly know the "difficulties" that are associated with growing up in a urban area. I can tell you my school system had money pumped into like crazy. I can tell you it still sucked and had bad teachers. I can agree that change is good, but at what price? The fact that schools constantly failing probably do not have sufficient funds to support their students and help them achieve what they want to. Yet, what happens if the student body doesn't care? If a teacher settles for mediocrity or failure? If the environment does not breed safety, progress and support for its students? Then what can you do?  Nothing.  If the effort or strength to support change is not there, how will anything vary? Throwing money at a problem doesn't work, it just fuels the fire. The notion that  US school systems are worse than most first world countries is staggering. This isn't because we don't have the money to support it, we literally just haven't put enough effort in. Getting to my opinion on the subject, if people actually cared and put in the effort to change schools they would. Yet, the reason why decent change has not rolled around yet is because there is not enough force behind the effort. Of all the changes in history, whether it be suffrage or basic human rights, nothing has come around from just throwing money at it. Do wars fight themselves without money? No, they fuel them. School systems now are unbalanced with too many students, not enough money, or something in between. The chance of finding balance in a system that is plagued by underwhelming effort is impossible the way I see it. I agree heavily with recreating school systems and start from the bottom up with hope and the chance of growth on the horizon.  The discussions from the issue provided me with a background to create an opinion that is reasonable and also based on fact.  In all, I do not agree with pumping money into schools that are failing and will constantly fail when effort is not applied. The fact that starting with a new slate could help a lot, doesn't mean it will work out in the end. I feel that school systems are broken and the laws in place do not help students become the adults they want to or could be with proper knowledge for the future. If I did not state my opinion before accurately, it is that a failing school will probably still fail and that a new school has the same chance to fail as well. Nothing will be changed without effort and a proper environment for students to learn. Both of the articles discussed this and both agreed that things can change, yet only small amounts of good change actually occurred.  

Sincerely,

Bryan Molyneux

P.S.- I hope this is what we were supposed to write about...