I feel a pressure as if I have to write about the practical task no. 6.
Already in class, when we were looking around to make our own opinions about the topics on the posters of the other groups, this poster was eye-catching to me. It´s not the appearance of the poster which is striking me, NO, it´s the statement which is bothering me :
A 1996 poll of US teachers found that they ranked computer skills and media technology as more ‘essential’ than the study of European history, biology, chemistry, and physics; than dealing with social problems such as drugs and family breakdown; than learning practical job skills; and than reading modern American writers such as Steinbeck and Hemmingway or classic ones such as Plato and Shakespeare. (The Atlantic Monthly, July 1997.)
How can someone who has studied for many years be that ignorant and that arrogant to affirm that computer skills and media technology are the most essential things to learn at school?
I think those who talk big aren’t really clear in their minds, what they are talking about. It is unbelievable that there exist so called “teachers” who are able to rank computer skills and technology more essential as social behavior. I wonder how the world would look like if really every single person would have this opinion. People would not be the same as they are today. Humans do have social aptitudes. This is what differentiates us from other creatures. I think you will only get the best results in competence and specific skills, such as computer skills, if you have a problem-free head. And this head is only producible when we talk to each other, to solve the probems.
This declaration is for me a kind of provokative statement. If this statement would be the reality I wonder how Einstein and Shakespeare and others had a chance of becoming genies at all. What about the past in which there was not such an easy utilisation of computers and other technical equipment? Were they all stupid just because they prioritized differently?
Ines Said:
on November 12, 2008 at 9:29 am
Cihan,
You seem to feel very strongly about this quote and it is great that you stated that in your blog. That makes your entry interesting to read and very personal because you really said what you thought. : )
I can just agree with you about your fear of a society in which computer skills would be more important than the traditional curriculum!
lorenarausch Said:
on November 17, 2008 at 6:53 pm
As I was ill last week, my comment comes late, but here it is:
I almost felt the same when reading this quotation, we really have to bother what would happen if it came true. Although I think computer skills become more and more important in this so-called digitalized world, they shouldn’t be the most important things to learn in school. I totally agree with you, that social competences might suffer.
I like your entry. Go on like that!
Lorena