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.