In this essay, Jayme Stayer is unveiling the dark side of a place not many people would suspect of having a dark side; Sea World. He begins his essay by narrating his experience that he had during a bird show at Sea World. At one point in the showing, the blonde woman who was doing the act revealed a few parrots of which she said “our ancestors brought from Africa.” Stayer points out that the only African ancestors we had from that time period were slaves that were brought on the European settler ships. And that since slaves were not allowed to carry birds on the boats, the woman should have said something more along the lines of “These parrots were brought to America by our European ancestors.” Sea World Stayer says is trying to present their guests with an educational experience, teaching them about different cultures, of the animals that the ill advised public knows nothing about, and about how animals should not be taken from the wild and placed in captivity. The latter “educational purpose” of Sea World, I found to be quite ironic. For the very place that houses captive animals and displays them for anyone to see, is supposedly teaching the public that it’s wrong to captivate wild animals. Later in the essay Stayer states that he believes Sea World is attempting to hide something from the public. Stayer believes that Sea World is holding a tight grip on what and how their visitors think. And that there are questions just waiting to spring to the surface of a tourists mind, that Sea World does not want to have to answer. Stayer says that Sea World should call notions of science into question, in an actual attempt to educate the public, rather than thrusting their ideas and ideals onto the unsuspecting public. Stayer makes one final analysis of Sea World and concludes that Sea World does not accomplish anything. Yet advises everyone to take a trip to Sea World anyway saying “…Who can remain unimpressed when a mammal the size of a Mack truck lifts itself out of the water? As for Sea World itself: If aided by earplugs and skepticism you can ignore what they’re trying to teach you, you just might learn something.”
Writing Stragey #4 - How does Stayer use Sea World to make broader points about American culture?
Stayer says that "Sea World is a reflection of American culture: a consequence, not a cause; a mirror of consumerist desires, not a promoter of political change via education."
In this comparison, Stayer is alluding that the American culture is not a culture that causes events into effect; but rather that the American culture simply acknowledges what has happened, and changes the way we view events in order to tailor to the desires of the consumerist public that America is overgrown with. That we are not promoting anything thought provoking or stimulating ideas, rather making them all "politically correct." which is the opposite of progression.
Exploring ideas #1 - Based on this essay how is the way Stayer that Stayer sees entertainment parks similar to or different from the way you see them?
Stayer and I have quite a few differing beliefs, as far as entertainment parks goes.
I believe that entertainment parks are purposed and designed to meet exactly that criteria; entertainment.
Whereas Stayer believes that entertainment parks should incorporate an educational experience, in an effort to teach the public something, and to challenge our beliefs.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Response to Floppy Disk Fallacies
In “Floppy Disk Fallacies”, Elizabeth Bohnhorst is exploring the idea of computer assisted learning in public schools. In her essay she argues that computers will detrimentally affect a student’s creativity, specifically in elementary years. That the emotional and social values that are normally taught during these years will not develop as fully if the students are learning through computers. She acknowledges that computers have indeed contributed wonders to the field of education, and has proven an effective way to get kids interested in learning.
I would have to agree that computers have contributed many wonders to the field of education, and have standardized our way of teaching and learning in schools today. While this computer assisted learning is far more common in high schools and colleges; teaching elementary students basic computer skills is a necessity. Bohnhorst is concerned that students will not get any “hands-on learning techniques”. She illustrates an example saying, “if a class is learning about regional watersheds computerized classrooms will most likely turn to the handy diagrams so conveniently laid out on the screens before the student. In a classroom that values hands-on learning techniques, a school field trip to a local stream or swamp may be an effective strategy.” She is implying here that if education were to be based solely on computers, that students would no longer take field trips as an instructive aid. I believe however that not only would students continue taking field trips, but that they would benefit from them more fully after learning about the subject through a computer, than they would if they were relying on a single teacher to instruct them.
Bohnhorst is also concerned that students, again specifically elementary age, will have their creativity “squashed” through the intensity of the images from a computer. She believes that students will not be able to generate their own images and ideas with consistent exposure to “ready-made images”. But what is the world but a large ready-made image? Rather than quelling a student’s creativity, computers will assist them in developing greater imaginations, and more colorful images in their mind.
While Bohnhorst generates some good ideas in her essay, I believe that some of her concerns are easily addressed, and are caused more from worry than an actual cause for concern. There is a need to accept that the future is full of change, and that if we don’t prepare our children to enter that world, then there will be cause for concern.
Writing Strategies #4 - What does Bohnhorst value and how are those values critical to her argument?
Bohnhorst values hands-on learning experiences, where the students can visually see and touch what they're learning about. And the emotional and social developments, that she believes will be hindered with computerized education.
The first is critical to her argument, as it is the main point that Bohnhorst is attempting to convey in her essay. She is trying to show how computerized learning is in-effective as far as increasing the intelligence of students, as opposed to using textbooks. And believes that without the kind of hands on learning that students (elementary age specifically) receive now in public schools, that they will be less creative and be unable to generate ideas and pictures in their minds as easily, due to consistent exposure to ready-made images. Without this value her essay would be rendered not nearly as effective as it is now.
The second goes along with the first, in supporting her claim that computerized learning is detrimental to students, rather than being beneficial.
Exploring Ideas # 2 - Interview several people who have not read Bohnhorst's argument, and find out specifically what they think computers can ocntribute to the field of education. Try interviewing people of various backgrounds and age groups. Follwoing your interviews, write down any new ideas you've discovered about computers and education.
Unfortunately, having written an essay during this quarter and after reading this essay through quite a few times, there weren't many new things I discovered by interviewing people. In fact after looking back I didn't discover anything new, so I provided a short summary of what a few of the people believed.
The majority of the people I interviewed have said that computers would aid certain students specifically more than others. These would be; the students that are far ahead of their class and unable to work to their limit due to the slow moving pace of some of the other students in their class. It would aid students who traveled for significant amount of times. My dad is a good example, having moved 17 times in his childhood, 7 of which were during his high school years. He would have been more able to complete his schooling in between moves to high schools, had he been able to work from home on a Laptop or PC.
Computerized learning should not take the place of textbooks, but rather serve as an aid so as not to eliminate something we have used for so many years as an integral part of our educational system. A good point presented is that "Books don't crash on you, while you're doing your homework."
Computers would aid students by being internet capable, allowing students to find information quickly and accurately.
I would have to agree that computers have contributed many wonders to the field of education, and have standardized our way of teaching and learning in schools today. While this computer assisted learning is far more common in high schools and colleges; teaching elementary students basic computer skills is a necessity. Bohnhorst is concerned that students will not get any “hands-on learning techniques”. She illustrates an example saying, “if a class is learning about regional watersheds computerized classrooms will most likely turn to the handy diagrams so conveniently laid out on the screens before the student. In a classroom that values hands-on learning techniques, a school field trip to a local stream or swamp may be an effective strategy.” She is implying here that if education were to be based solely on computers, that students would no longer take field trips as an instructive aid. I believe however that not only would students continue taking field trips, but that they would benefit from them more fully after learning about the subject through a computer, than they would if they were relying on a single teacher to instruct them.
Bohnhorst is also concerned that students, again specifically elementary age, will have their creativity “squashed” through the intensity of the images from a computer. She believes that students will not be able to generate their own images and ideas with consistent exposure to “ready-made images”. But what is the world but a large ready-made image? Rather than quelling a student’s creativity, computers will assist them in developing greater imaginations, and more colorful images in their mind.
While Bohnhorst generates some good ideas in her essay, I believe that some of her concerns are easily addressed, and are caused more from worry than an actual cause for concern. There is a need to accept that the future is full of change, and that if we don’t prepare our children to enter that world, then there will be cause for concern.
Writing Strategies #4 - What does Bohnhorst value and how are those values critical to her argument?
Bohnhorst values hands-on learning experiences, where the students can visually see and touch what they're learning about. And the emotional and social developments, that she believes will be hindered with computerized education.
The first is critical to her argument, as it is the main point that Bohnhorst is attempting to convey in her essay. She is trying to show how computerized learning is in-effective as far as increasing the intelligence of students, as opposed to using textbooks. And believes that without the kind of hands on learning that students (elementary age specifically) receive now in public schools, that they will be less creative and be unable to generate ideas and pictures in their minds as easily, due to consistent exposure to ready-made images. Without this value her essay would be rendered not nearly as effective as it is now.
The second goes along with the first, in supporting her claim that computerized learning is detrimental to students, rather than being beneficial.
Exploring Ideas # 2 - Interview several people who have not read Bohnhorst's argument, and find out specifically what they think computers can ocntribute to the field of education. Try interviewing people of various backgrounds and age groups. Follwoing your interviews, write down any new ideas you've discovered about computers and education.
Unfortunately, having written an essay during this quarter and after reading this essay through quite a few times, there weren't many new things I discovered by interviewing people. In fact after looking back I didn't discover anything new, so I provided a short summary of what a few of the people believed.
The majority of the people I interviewed have said that computers would aid certain students specifically more than others. These would be; the students that are far ahead of their class and unable to work to their limit due to the slow moving pace of some of the other students in their class. It would aid students who traveled for significant amount of times. My dad is a good example, having moved 17 times in his childhood, 7 of which were during his high school years. He would have been more able to complete his schooling in between moves to high schools, had he been able to work from home on a Laptop or PC.
Computerized learning should not take the place of textbooks, but rather serve as an aid so as not to eliminate something we have used for so many years as an integral part of our educational system. A good point presented is that "Books don't crash on you, while you're doing your homework."
Computers would aid students by being internet capable, allowing students to find information quickly and accurately.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)