Has Technology Undercut Critical Thinking?

1. Has Technology Undercut Critical Thinking? Henry J. Coffman

2. Position • Critical Thinking is being undercut by Technology • Substantiate it by examples in this paper • Top 3 (or 4) • Get a copy of my paper • Have recommendations but won’t do for time!!

3. Literature Review • Hypertext vs. Linear textbook Style • Hypertext: empowers the reader by allowing reader to go anywhere via links (Landow) • Miall/Dobson Study (Disrupt reading process) • 70 participants (17-28 yrs) • Control group for linear method • Second group for hypertext • Results: hypertext at each node 4-7 secs longer • 75% complained of difficulty in following as opposed to 10% of linear (SAME TEXT USED) Point 1:Technology Provides Negative Impact on Comprehension

4. Writing Processes • Grammar and Spelling dependencies (Word) and Wizards (skills lessen over time) • Plagiarism • Cut/Paste • Turnitin.com detected 1/3 of students work is copied in whole or part • 122 students at UVA • Tech gives opportunity for cheating and less desire for organizational thought Point 2:Technology lessens an individual’s learned skills and creativity through its perceived “windows of opportunity”.

5. Oratory Processes • Do presentations subtract from use of original thought and purpose? • Study in New York class of 7th graderswho used PP for Literature plays • Students more interested in fonts and formats than content/thought expression • Technical Coordinator at Middle School believes cookie cutter approach because of the content wizard • Alliance for Childhood – limits child’s imagination because it standardizes ideas and not support expression • Web Page Message Point 3:Technology limits the imagination, and expression of the orator as well as the message of the presentation.

6. Information Resources • Information Overload • Limitation of focus; WYSINNWYW • Look outside of the box; libraries • Use multiple search engines • Dr. Muir Example for HJC Point 4:Technology can project an illusion over reality.

7. Mathematics Understanding (Technology Dependency) Don’t Do: Time! • Is this related to Critical thinking? • Machine Dependent (Engineers, Decision Analyses, Risk Analyses, problem solving) • Examples: Checkbook balances/taxes • Case in point: 13 year old student remarks: “does not know how to keep up with studies without his computer”. • What would you do if the electricity of the world went out for a prolong period?

8. Classroom Impact (Configurations) Don’t Do: Time! • Computers in classroom affects learning process • Discussion style vs. lecture-style • Could prove important if discussion is about construction of good debate arguments

9. Summary of Points!! Point 1:Technology Provides Negative Impact on Comprehension Point 2:Technology lessens an individual’s learned skills and creativity through its perceived “windows of opportunity”. Point 3:Technology limits the imagination, and expression of the orator as well as the message of the presentation. Point 4:Technology can project an illusion over reality.

10. Recommendations Don’t Do: Time! • Hypertext vs. linear (make flow easier) • Productivity Tools (PowerPoint/Word) – parallel the basics and don’t get wrapped up in beauty • Plagiarism vs thought organization – difficult to stop technology; I can see you; feeling if someone takes your work • Information Overload –narrow down search parameters; use different search engines realize other sources • Technology Dependency – parallel basic techniques • Classroom Configurations – 3 choices: stroll, semi-lecture, change course to discussion style

11. Remember to teach the fundamentals!!Football at its best!!!! Cooper: “ few studies have shown technology increases efficiency in education as it has in other endeavors.”