Are schools better than they were 20 years ago? Journal 10

Point/Counterpoint
by Hope Benton-Borghi and Marc Simmons
L&L with Technology
April 2007 Vol.34 No.7'

In this two part column each authors takes a differing view as to whether or not our education system is better off today than it was 20 years ago. Benton-Borghi thinks our schools are better off, Marc Simmons doesn't. Benton-Borghi supports her argument by providing evidence of how students today are able to communicate with other students, teachers, and experts from around the world with a few clicks of a mouse. She believes this is the main factor that students today are receiving a better education than students of twenty years ago. Simmons believes that schools are there to produce "critical thinkers' and the purpose of technology is to increase efficiency. With this in mind Simmons makes the claim that our education system has not improved in the last 2o years. He asserts that although our schools have become more technologically based the actual learning within those schools has decreased. However Benton-Borghi points out that due to the communication ability afforded by technology students can interact with other students globally, and therefore gain knowledge from a different perspective and through the lens of different cultures. Both make interesting and valid points in their arguments either for or against the current education system and how technology has either improved it or hurt it.
1)How can technology help those students with disabilities today that wasn't possible twenty years ago?
Twenty years ago disabled or gifted students weren't able to attend schools with their own social cohort, however because of new technological advances those students can now remain within their cohorts.
2) What can teachers gain from technology in the classroom?
Through the use of and implementation of technology in the classroom teachers are able to teach the more effectively and engaging to students across America.