PROs

Most teachers argue whether there is enough time for technology in high school.  In the US any high school in any district means preparation for tests – AP exams, SAT tests, college admissions tests etc. But unfortunately quite a vast number of teachers take  “technology in classroom” concept in quite a strange way and later grudge that it is dull  and useless and completely inappropriate  for students.  And those who support expanding the use of computer technologies at schools and universities accuse teachers and educational specialists  of such limited understanding of the concept. According to their own ardent beliefs:

a). Computers should be learned and used from the very beginning as they provide advantages for future success in higher education and career, saying nothing about the fact that those who do not master those computational device will lag behind their own classmates. If all classmates are capable of reading the latest news on the favorite singer, a teenager will strive to be able to do the same thing. What job he or she might take  being unable to use Skype? To write an e-mail, to use some basic Office programs such as Word and Excel?

b). Computers speed up a person’s intellectual development, meanwhile contributing to her achievements. In fact, presence of different points of view on the topic make everybody not just  take what's said for granted but value arguments of  the both sides and make some unbiased decision. Such a process, no doubt, contributes to the intellectual development as  hearing some subjective opinion the next time the person would say: hold on! I need to think it over as there can be other judgments and views.  Sitting in the classroom in a company of other persons a child or a teenager follows their example. If there is a really competitive atmosphere  in the class it is just fine, and, on the contrary when everything  is absorbed by indifference and  lack of initiative  a person just follows the general behavior pattern.  Computer learning can not present a very competitive environment but it will never be indifferent or claim that “learning is not cool”.  

c) Computers create a completely new educational environment  which can not be compared to traditional studying methods and values. This environment  is free of any restraints and limitations providing almost immediate access to  the necessary info all over the world.  The provided environment is completely independent and individual, motivating self-control and self-discipline, arousing interest in foreign cultures and people, instigating teenagers’ creativity and imagination.

All that stands true when we are talking about an ideal case of applying computer technologies to the educational process. In fact, when it comes to reality, not everything is that shining.