During my spare time, I enjoy reading the news including posts on Huffington Post and The New York Times. I like being in-tune with what's going on around the world (I would like my students to do the same). One of my favorite sections is the Education section. Today, while exploring the New York Times, I read an article called, "A School Distanced From Technology Faces Its Intrusion" (Link provided above).
A Short Summary
In Vershire, Vermont, a simple life is valued higher than technology. There is little cell phone reception and its schools offer courses where students can learn about nature without technology like a GPS and cell phone. Though this town is known for it's older style, this fall the town will be introduced to high-speed Internet and better cellphone coverage. Currently, students use prepaid cards to make phonecalls and there's a limit to the bandwidth on the computers.
My Reactions
I really found this article interesting. I find it hard to imagine living somewhere without technology playing a major role in life and in my education. The school and town of Vershire, Vermont is concerned that their students will become more like "us": constantly feeling the need to check our Facebook and social media sites, etc. To resolve this, the school will be making a policy where students must hand their cell phones over. I am still contemplating whether I think this is a fair policy, but I do agree with the teachers' thoughts: "...their goal is not to encourage their students to live without
technology, but to make them think more carefully about their use of it" (3). Though a town like Montclair, NJ is much different than Vershire, Vermont, we both want the same thing in regards to technology and schooling. Technology is useful within the classroom if it means using a computer for research, or using a white board or SmartBoard. But for students to be checking their cellphones or browsing the Internet, I personally believe it is not appropriate in the classroom.
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