Megan Schlicht
There is an ever widening gap forming between the generations. Gerry Barker shows us this gap when he poses the question, "Should computers supplement textbooks in the classroom?" (254). The vast majority of those who respond to this question say, "No." Many people sent in comments that Barker put together to form an aricle about the subject. Many comments revolved around three different ideas. Children are already lazy when it comes to reading and grammar, so giving them a computer that will do all the work for them will just make the situation worse. Computers aren't as dependable as textbooks, and they are too expensive. It seems that many people think that computers are more harmful than helpful.
Computers are harmful to children because they do all the work for them. Children will no longer have to worry about grammar or spelling skills because the computer will take care of these things for them. Many people seem to worry that reading books will disappear all together. There is a common fear that a generation with no English skills will soon be running the country. So, some people argue that computers are not a practical choice for supplementing textbooks, and I agree with them.
Computers are not dependable because they require a power outlet to operate. They have to be protected against viruses, and memory loss can be a common problem. If there is a blackout or if the computers simply blink off for a moment, a teacher's lesson can be ruined. No one can teach when a lesson plan has been erased. At this point in time, textbooks are more reliable than computers. We also get our money's worth out of textbooks.
Computers are still too expensive. Some people believe that teachers should get a pay raise before we think about letting computers supplement textbooks. Schools seem to have monthly fundraisers now in an attempt to get more money for education. How could they possibly afford replacing all textbooks with computers? Children can still get a good education from textbooks. There is not enough money in the education system to warrant the change from books to computers.
While it is neccesary for children to learn how to use a computer, textbooks are also neccesary. These two things should be used in conjunction with each other so that we may begin to bridge the generation gap. Books are still an important part of our lives, and they have been around for a very long time. Computers are new and can be overwhelming to the older generation. However, for educational purposes, textbooks are still the better choice. I agree with those who say, "Textbooks should remain the foundation of learning" (256).
Barker, Gerry. "Should Computers Supplement Textbooks?" CyberReader. 2nd ed. Ed. Victor J. Vitanza. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon, 1999. 122-123.
Megan Schlicht
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