The invention of technology has side swept the world of its wonderful and easy ways of doing things. It is delusional to depend on it for everything we do, but some people approves of the advantages of technology. Some things are advanced for the use of technology, but the more simpler tasks could be handled without technology. Ellie Burkert, a teacher, claims that technology could be more useful for students at school. She introduces a handheld computer, i-guide, that are students used to help them with critiques of different art forms. The i-guide was used for the students to make observation notes and other templates that helped with critiques. The study of the i-guide amongst the students was a positive response. Burket’s methods that were used to prove the positive aftermath of the i-guide were interviews, video footage, journals, and sketchbooks. The evidence she put forth supported her claim that the students were in awe for the i-guide.
As I mentioned earlier, Burkert seem at ease with technology and view it useful and beneficial to students. Moody conducted a study of how people could become more socially lonely when technology is involved. He describes FtF as being able to use facial expressions, hand gestures, and OnO experience that cannot be found when using technology in an everyday life. The students in Burket’s study could be exposed at becoming CmC because they are starting off at an early age depending on handheld computers. The i-guide could be useful to help students with various activities and to those who are shy, but it can also be a downfall because technology can have its ups and downs. For example, at times the internet could be down or the handheld computer can break. That is why it is important to always have FtF experience because it is dependent upon. Eric Moody states that, “It is hypothesized that individuals with a high level of internet use, as defined by a relatively large numbers of hours spent online, will be more likely to experience social loneliness, but be less likely to experience social loneliness”, and it was proven that more internet use has higher rates of social loneliness. Burket seems content that the i-guide help the students. It may help, but it can possibly ruin the development of their FtF communication. As a believer that internet use could do that, I would have to disagree with Burket because she proves that the device had a positive effect but what about the negative effects?
In Moody’s paper, his hypothesis was based on one claim- the interent has some relation of steering a person to become lonely. Within his argument he presents evidence that supports his claim, however he does have some information of the opposite side of his claim. Moody is also being somewhat objective. He is trying to prove his claim, but he is not leaning on just one particular side. In opposition, Burket is definitely leaning on side- the i-guide which she claims that it is a postive factor for the students. Unlike Moody, Burket is being very subjective. Throughout out her argument there is only one positive facts of how the student interacts with the i-guide. Being on the outside looking in, I think there should have been more negative factors included. Even though I never used an i-guide, I can state that there is something negative about the i-guide, besides its ruining of FtF communication. Technology as a whole have flaws and I can expect that about the i-guide. Burket should have considered being more objective even though she is supporting her side.
Within the discussion of the i-guide Burket points out, “Students are being given the skills and framework to look and examine without the teacher, which in turn encourages them to take responsibility for their learning. As students relate the impact their experiences have had on them, I am led to question where this leave traditional methods of teaching and the role of the teacher”. I examined that quote as frightening because people do not recognize how technology can ruin things. The i-guide is definitely a technological disadvantage for students because it so advanced that the teacher may not be needed. Without the teacher being present, many things can fall out of place- learning and maybe the economy. Because Moody realizes the effects of technology, social and emotional loneliness, he questions what could be the long term effects of the internet. Burket questions the role of teachers in the long run, but she still embraces the positive gains that the students will have in the long run.
Moreover, everything that is man-made have flaws, and that is what technology consists of. I am not proclaiming that I am against technology, but I use it everyday and things go wrong from time-to-time. Burket puts the i-guide on a high pedistal knowing that it has some sort of wrong going. I possibly cannot see young students being dependent upon the i-guide because like Burket mentioned, what would happen to the teachers? People who ought to buy the i-guide could look at Burket’s argument for a more positive guideness because she did not present any negative points. Eric Moody presented his claim thoroughly because he not only supported his claim but he also provided information about the opposite side. Therefore, I actually promoted Moody side about technology because he provided well-rounded information opposed to Burket who leaned on one side.
