Write a brief paper to answer the following questions. The paper should be typed and double-spaced and conform to basic rules of APA style. Be sure that the paper is double-spaced, with 1 inch margins, in a 12 point font, and with numbered pages. Under no circumstances should the entire paper be fewer than 5 pages or greater than 10 pages (page counts do not include your title page or an optional page dedicated to references). This paper should be submitted electronically.
1. Carr claims that our brains are changing because of technology, and the implication is that they are changing for the worse. Similar arguments have been made with every new technology. Compare the change from an oral culture to a written culture with the change from a written culture to a hyperlinked networked culture. Describe why Carr feels that the latter change is fundamentally worse. Do you agree with Carr? Why or Why not?
2. Think about the ways that you use technology in your classroom.
How would Carr view the effects of your use of technology? Would Carr
believe the benefits of your use of technology outweigh the negatives?
Why or why not? Do you agree with Carr's view for this use of technology?
Why or why not?
Be sure to support your ideas with evidence from Carr's book and a description of what really happens in your clasroom, keeping in mind that Carr finds that technology is not necessarily good or bad, but some of its side effects are highly problematic. If you are not in the classroom or do not have any rich examples of technology use, you may use an example from someone else's classroom. However, you will need enough details about the use to pass a judgment on the reality of the use, not just the promise.
This page was prepared by Dr. David M. Marcovitz.
Last Updated: October 6, 2011