Computers and Technology Summary

In the article ‘Computers and Technology’, Richard Ohmann expresses his concern for the growing dependency on technology in education and the workplace. He starts off by stating that schools are using three times as much technology in 2000 than in 1992. High schools and colleges are more and more depending on computers and the internet to raise test scores, and educate students. Studies in Ohmanns essay support this dependency. One school where students all had laptops had exceptional test scores. I think this is why Ohmann is concerned, because people are thinking that it is okay for technology to get the best of people, and it makes them think that just because good test scores are the possible result of receiving technology.
Although this increase in technology does help students, if is also harming their learning process. Some professors are now having to put a ‘kill switches’ into effect. These ‘kill switches’ are to prevent students from tuning out their professors, to the distractions of e-mails, instant messaging, and other internet annoyances. Ohmann believes that since the increase in technology in education, students are not being prepared for the workplace.
Ohmann does not argue that there are some positives in technology such as learning from computers and video games. Overall I think he is disappointed that the negatives of technology overweigh the negatives.