Wow, this article certainly presents a viewpoint contrary to popular educational themes today.  Imagine if kids were actually suffering academically with increased computer usage.  This piece from Orion magazine is long, and covers lots of ground to make the argument that our schools have overdone themselves on technology.  One of my favorite points of discussion includes the claim that computers are “just a tool” in the classroom.  The author explains that educational tools “...reconstitute all of the relationships in an environment...” and that in choosing tools we “...are deciding what kinds of encounters with the world we value for our children, which in turn influences what they grow up to value....” Whether you agree or not, many of the arguments in this article remind us that our tools and modes of communication are more powerful than we might have imagined, and we should choose carefully.

Even though this is a long read, it is very thought provoking, and really makes us take a close look at education processes.  It is well worth the time to consider the points being made, and decide for yourself how you feel about your own child’s education.  Even if you disagree with the author, you will have thought about issues that may not have made it to your radar screen before, and being informed is the best tool we have in our parenting arsenal.