Response #3

1. What are the three most important criticisms Don Tapscott makes of the Times article?

The most important critisisms Don makes are that when the Times article pulls statistics saying that children are becoming more distracted, there is an equal amount of evidence that proves the opposite is in fact true. Futhermore there is no definitive evidence out there to begin with that would prove that true.

Secondly, He critisizes the article for only considering technology as the sole factor for why kids are not succeeding in class and says that issues like culture and income play a key role in determining success. He goes on to say that the reason is more likely due to the fact that todays youth are more accoustomed to interacting with their eductation rather than listen to it and that is why less and less people are paying attention in class.

Finally, he says that contrary to the Times article, multi-tasking is a useful skill especially in the jobs of tomorow where more jobs require technology to use. The youth of today is better at filtering out noise, switching tasks and getting more accomplished faster. He also claims that they are not failing at everything by multi-tasking.



2. Do you agree with Mr Tapscott when he says we need to change “the relationship between student and teacher in the learning process”? Why or why not?



I personally agree that technology should start to change the relationship between student and teacher. The Internet is a plethora of knowledge, but teachers need to become like guides to direct them to relevant information about the courses. To insist on using the methods of when there was no other method of teaching is not making the most of the resources available to us. New technology is the next step in our teaching evolution, akin to the jump from teaching children about farming techniques to teaching the basics of science.

3. Of the two articles, which one demonstrates a greater understanding of technology and your generation? Justify your choice.

Easily Tapscott's article. It clearly shows that both sides have been considered and he makes a better argument more grounded in reality than in the confines of a classroom. To teachers who are evaluating a very specific skill ( the ability to sit and listen) the skills that are gained from exposure to technology may not be so apparent. However, in the big picture, these skills are the ones the business world will require.