Do Computers
Negatively
Affect Student
Growth?
By: Leah, Logan, Krystal and Shannon
Computers Negatively affect student growth in
different areas:
1. How students learn
2. Student health
3. How a student’s mind works
4. Computer software is a poor teaching tool
How students learn
• Younger students learn through experiences, not
by learning facts
• Children need to use 3D world to learn
• Negatively affects student growth
– Developmental
– Mental
– Physical
Ideas aren’t created by information
Facts vs. Knowledge
• A supplemental teaching aid
– Connecting People (Skype)
– Google Earth (geographical examples)
– Stimulating Games
• Computer can provide scaffolding which
makes a student more independent
• Immediate feedback
Computers are Poor Teaching Tools
• Poor model of reality
• Poor software
– Affordability
– Outdated
– Bugs
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Constant change
Inappropriate material
No advances in academic performance
Distractions
• Not poor teaching tools, just how they are
being used
– Teacher training issues
– Age-appropriate software brings benefits
– ESOL/ESE
• Filtering software
• Smaller class sizes and differentiated
instruction
Health
• Physical and developmental effects
– Eyestrain and myopia
– Carpal tunnel syndrome
– Poor imaginative and creative abilities
• Cognitive development
– Stunted Brain Growth
• Social and emotional development
– Cannot replace human interaction
• Attention span reduced
• Minimize screen time (1-2 hr.)
• Educational software can bring benefits to:
– Hand-eye coordination
– Reaction time
– Social interaction (when used cooperatively)
• Increases long term memory and manual
dexterity
• Ergonomics Here
How a Student’s Mind Works
• Less self discovery
• Young children learn through tactile methods
• Differences in student backgrounds
– Teacher choice in educational methods
– Exposure
• Less self discovery but more access to
information
• Public schools are not pressured to find the
most effective ways to input technology
• The business model is not accepted in
education
Sources
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"Do Computers Hinder Young Children's Development?" Early Childhood (June 2001). Brookes
Publishing Co. Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., Inc. Reviewed 9 April, 2012
(http://www.pbrookes.com/email/archive/june01/june01EC4.htm)
Edwards, Laurie. "Computers In Preschool: Hurting or Helping?" Education.com. Reviewed 7
April, 2012 (http://www.education.com/magazine/article/preschoolers-computers-bottomline/)
Halpert, Julie. "IChildren: How Apple Is Changing Kids' Brains." The Fiscal Times. 21 March,
2012. Reviewed 9 April, 2012
(http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2012/03/21/iChildren-How-Apple-Is-Changing-KidsBrains.aspx#page1)
Henry, Julie. "Ban computers from school until children reach age 9, says expert." The
Telegraph [London] 13 June 2010, Reviewed 19 April, 2012
(http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/primaryeducation/7823259/Ban-computers-fromschools-until-children-reach-age-9-says-expert.html)
Hess, Frederick M. 2012. “Do Computers Negatively Affect Student Growth?” Pp. 325-31 in
Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Educational Issues. 6th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Monke, Lowell. 2012. “Do Computers Negatively Affect Student Growth?” Pp. 318-24 in
Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Educational Issues. 6th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Young, Mary E. "Technology and Early Child Development." TechKnowLogia. September 2001.
Reviewed 7 April, 2012 (http://www.techknowlogia.org/TKL_Articles/PDF/314.pdf)
A short summary
http://www.mff.org/publications/publications.
taf?page=269