Re: the computers and isolation blues

[Jane Blystone <blystone@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Ted,

I agree with you.   I have been using the computer in my classroom since
1987.  I haven't even seen a glimpse of Utopia - but I have seen some
terrific student publications and great writing emerge.  I have also seen
kids who didn't even up to come to school actually greet me at 7:00 am in
from of the computer lab door.

Computers are just another tool, and we need to pull out all stops to help
every kid learn.

Bless you for daring to dream for the kids who have been thrown away.  Keep
liofting that lamp beside the GOLDEN door of opportunity:)

Jane Blystone

tednellen wrote:

> hmmm.
> i'm one of those fools who does believe the technology will create a
> utopian world in our classrooms. you see i teach in nyc and i teach in
> classes with those kids who have failed in traditional classes and have
> been written off by the mainstream teachers. did this in a good school for
> 17 years. now i'm in one of the worst schools in nyc with kids who know
> nothing but failure, have been written off years ago and i am finding that
> the technology is bringing them in. they want to know how, they ask
> questions, they behave, they are quieter, they want to learn cause they
> can and the technology has been the tool allowing me to get to them.
>
> it seems fitting these words grace the harbor of nyc: "Give me your tired,
> your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched
> refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to
> me. I lift my lamp beside the golden door."
>
> but i'm just a silly poor idealist in nyc messing with the technology with
> kids who have been thrown away...
>
> no to me technology is the utopia for them esp as it gets them out of
> where they are...
>
> tednellen
>
>  On Thu, 29 Mar 2001, John Walter wrote:
>
> >
> > On Thu, 29 Mar 2001, Douglas Eyman wrote:
> >
> > > Sure, we need to be aware, in the critical sense, of the possible
> > > shortcomings of our utopian vision for technology in the
> > > classroom; but we don't need to become hyper-critical ourselves in
> > > order to prove our awareness to the naysayers. We still need to
> > > refute some of the uncritical negativity that is aimed at
> > > technology (whatever the motive). We might never convince Vonnegut
> > > that what we're doing is a good thing, but we shouldn't balk at
> > > letting our voices and insights be heard alongside his.
> >
> >       No we don't need to be hyper-critical of ourselves, but, IMHO, we
> > need to acknowledge that computers won't create a utopian world.
> > Uncritical negativity needs to be countered with critical, balanced,
> > and moderated praise which at the same time acknowledges and tries to
> > work with real concerns, fears, and frustrations people have. But I'm
> > repeating myself just to repeat myself so I'll back off for a time.
> >
> > John
> >
> > * CWOnline -- Computers & Writing Online 2001 discussion list
> > * To unsubscribe or to get more confererence information, visit:
> > * http://web.nwe.ufl.edu/cwonline2001/
> >
>
> Ted Nellen     8-)                               ted@tnellen.com
> Cybrarian                            http://www.tnellen.com/ted/
> CyberEnglish                http://www.tnellen.net/cyberenglish/
> Bronx Tech                    http://www.tnellen.com/bronx_tech/
>
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>
> One must learn by doing the thing. For though you think you know
> it, you have no certainty until you try.
>
> ~ Sophocles ~   (BC 495-406, Greek Tragic Poet)
>
> * CWOnline -- Computers & Writing Online 2001 discussion list
> * To unsubscribe or to get more confererence information, visit:
> * http://web.nwe.ufl.edu/cwonline2001/

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