Skeptic's Argument

Towards the beginning of this class, my perspective of integrating technology into our school system aligned with the skeptics' argument. However, after discussing this topic with peers and reading several points that the skeptics argued, my opinon has changed. I do agree that the reason our school system has yet to change is because there are many barriers that are not allowing this change to occur in our schools. Many people are still hanging on to the more traditional approach to learning and teaching practices. Also, money is a major reason that technology has not been fully integrated in our schools, ecspecially in the economic crisis we are in now. However, there are many points that the skeptics argue that I view as naive and incorrect. First, the skeptics mentioned that classroom management becomes an issue when computers are added to the classroom. I disgaree with this because whether we have computers in our classrooms or not, children can and will distract themselves in other ways. It is our job as teachers to keep our students engaged and control management issues. Also, the statement made under what computers can't teach I consider to be a very naive statement. Clearly, integrating computers in our classrooms will not teach everything to our students. Our expectations for computers do not inlcude teaching daily life skills, in regards to not pushing, cleaning up your mess, etc. Computers will be used to enhance student's learning.
Now that I am aware of all the reasons for skepticism in integrating technology in our classroom, I will remain aware of these issues in my future. In the back of my mind I will keep the fact that technology can undermine teachers authority, even though I do not necessarily agree with that, the different challeneges to instruction, and how technology can interfere with classroom management. I believe that the only thing I can do with the skpetics' argument is always keep it in the back of my mind to consider from time to time.