The Overdominance of Computers by Lowell Monk

I. Brian Pautzke bpautzke@yahoo.com 5/5/08

The Overdominance of Computers by Lowell Monks

II. The article The Overdominance of Computers argues that computers are becoming increasingly pervasive in society and that that is costing our children in the areas of socialization. Monks argues that as a society there is a time and place for teaching technology but that it needs to be done critically and not too early. As teachers, we need to prepare young children with the tools of self-discipline, moral judgment, and empathy before we start placing them in front of the computer screen.

The danger Monks points out is that when children use computers at too young an age they do not recognize the power they have, nor the responsibility that comes with that power. He addresses cyber bullying and cyber terrorism, arguing that without the socialization and responsibility that comes with age children can have more power than they realize. The ability to erase the hard work of others simply because they have a poorly protected network is one example Monks uses.

III.

• It is important to wait to introduce children to computers until they can understand and appreciate their responsibility with computers.
• The more access to computers both in school and at home the lower their overall test scores were.
• Computers can provide distractions from work.
• Facing the problems that children will have to face requires a wisdom that comes from studying the natural world not computers.
• People will need to be able to weigh the costs on benefits of computers in their lives.
• High school is when it is appropriate to be teaching technology; prior to this the focus should be on teaching : values, responsibility, social skills, and natural world skills.
• The “Just-in-Time” approach is the best because the schools are not simply retraining students in technology which is constantly changing.

IV. This article is speaking to a point with which I agree whole-heartedly. I believe we are focusing too much on the promises of technology, teaching about online-communities and the power of the internet to organize and bring people out of social anonymity. More important is teaching them how to interact appropriately with their peers and how to interact with adults.
Monks makes a great point the timeliness of teaching technology. His “just-in-time” approach of waiting until high school is close to when I would want my own children learning the technology. Prior to this age I think it gets in the way and distracts from the timeless pursuits of nature and friendship.

This article is relevant to me as a teacher because if I believe in what Monks is saying, as I do, then it is my responsibility to help the students learn about the pros and cons of technology and how to use it effectively. Since I teach high school it becomes my job to teach students how to be successful with technology and hope that previous teachers taught them how to socially functional.