Rossetti Chi Lam Ng
#301035829
CMNS428-2008 Spring
Article critique: Techno-Topias Constructing Childhood, Learning and Technology
In the article Techno-Topias Constructing Childhood, Learning and Technology,
the author David Buckingham criticizes the technology in the education system by
providing certain popular debates of different perspectives in technology and education
from the past to recent. By comparing theses different perspectives and arguments in
technology and education, Buckingham concludes that theses debates are problematic,
and polarized. People either absolutely agree for technology is helping and booting
education or against it. There should not be absolute right or wrong, since the pros and
cons of technology in education have limitations.
Form my point of view, I think the key argument in this article is interesting and
important to our society. Since technology is growing so fast in our society, it helps a lot
of educators and students in certain cases. However, some parents or scholars may claim
that technology is harmful to children’s education. The argument gives an overview of
cons and pros of these two extreme perspectives to readers. It also shows the limitations
of each argument which shows the readers that there are no absolutely good or bad of
technology in education. By addressing the Edutopia: Success Stories for Learning in the
Digital Age, Buckingham provides certain examples and arguments from psychologist
B.F.Skinner, Bill Gates, the Microsoft founder and Seymour Papert, Lego Professor of
Learning Research to support technology is helping and booting the children education.
Gates argue that technology can allow greater productivity and efficiency in education.
Computers can free teachers on doing their paperwork so teachers can have more energy
and time to focus on students needs and wants. The technology guru, Nicholas
Negroponte also claims that computer is helping children to learn by doing. Students are
Rossetti Chi Lam Ng
#301035829
CMNS428-2008 Spring
Article critique: Techno-Topias Constructing Childhood, Learning and Technology
encouraged and to become actively learners rather than just passively receiving
information in the learning process by using computer and other technology. Buckingham
mostly focuses on Papert’s argument in his chapter. Papert claims that by using the
program LOGO and using the Turtle can help students of procedural thinking which also
involve students’ imagination and creativity.
On the other hand, Buckingham also provides some opinions from scholars such
as Theodore Roszak, Neil Postman and C.A. Bowers, who are against technology in
helping students to learn. However, Buckingham mostly describes the argument that
claimed by Alliance for Childhood. From it standpoint, Alliance for Childhood argues
that computers may be hazardous to children’s health, not only physically, but also
emotionally and intellectually. Children may be over weight due to lack of exercises
since they may just sit in front of computer for everything. Children will have
communication problems with people and they may not able to understand the real world
while they have used computers for a certain time. Moreover, children can be lack of
creativity and imaginations by the overused of computers.
Although Buckingham did not give an explicit standpoint on what he believes
more in this argument, he indicates the critique from Alliance for Childhood is
problematic. Alliance should not assume that the use of computers would replace the
other activities.
In his article, Buckingham provides different relevant opinions and arguments
from different scholars of each side equally. He provides adequate information and
criticism from different perspectives of technology in education for both cons and pros
side. These arguments have a clear angle to support their beliefs. Rather than identifying
Rossetti Chi Lam Ng
#301035829
CMNS428-2008 Spring
Article critique: Techno-Topias Constructing Childhood, Learning and Technology
his standpoint in this controversial topic, Buckingham points out some assumptions and
limitations in both sides. Indeed, I think this will be more meaningful for his readers to
explore the strengths and weaknesses of technology in education by themselves, instead
of just giving them his own opinions and perspective.