MurphyR

wat up g-man???

ah, but how often does the power go out? how much more do learn, how much more are we connected to the world using phones and computers. How easy is it to find information today. Perhaps as you say 'redefining' how we employ technology is the key. A book assumes that it you are an empty vessel to be filled with content within small boundaries. We each own a printing press - so we can make books - we can make music, video and more. A book is only good if the questions you are going to be asked one day in life are in the book in the first place. Technology allows you to seek more answers in more places that a book ever could. You are right books are often not correct and out of date. Unlike a wiki- which is always being corrected by someone.
Learning about anything is a process in which you answer questions, which in turn lead to more questions. Learning is not final.
Handwriting is only needed if someone else needs to read it. Notes, memos, scraps of paper are handwritten.
Ask the scribes, the printing press was invented to spread more knowledge to more people. Imagine how pointless Google would be if it read the answers to you and then you had to write it down!
Don't confuse passing and exam (memorising facts) with learning. Study guides are there to help you pass an exam. Just by writing your great post, you are reflecting on the world around you and that is powerful learning. Question everything, dismiss nothing, talk to everyone ... books, scribes and the way we used to learn is not important. Its not that technology changes everything, its how it changes it to make your life better.
Great post, I love that you are reflecting on the old and the new. Look forward to reading more! (DeanG - EdTech, Sydney)

I think you are definitely right about students handwriting - I am a teacher, and it is so bad sometimes! But you would have to ask someone who was teaching before computers were popular if the handwriting was really that much better in 'the good old days' :)
I also think online study guides can cause problems when students read them and then do nothing else...instead these guides should only be a starting point. They can be good for helping people catch up with 'the basics' though if they really didn't get a book/poem/film at all.

You could be right about the handwriting. Spelling could also be taking a hit especially if there is no spell checker on hand! Also the 'texting' language spreading into formal written work. Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
One thing for sure - technology is here to stay :-)
Patricia, Ireland

I think your right on the points you make:
There are basic skills humans need to master and not let go of-how to make a sandwich, light a candle, how to write by hand, etc.
There are higher level skills that technology can enhance for us-We don't just grab online study guides. We need to be able to evaluate the site where we are getting them to assure that they are dependable and accurate.
As an English teacher, may I suggest that you write your post in a word processor and check your spelling and reread for grammar errors. Then, copy the post to your blog. People are sometimes put off by errors and stupidly miss the wonderful information in the writing.

Something that Dean said, "Its not that technology changes everything..." I think that technology can change everything--but really what changes is our reaction to technology and how it changes the way we accomplish our jobs. Some of us use it and love it, and at all costs want to be at the forefront. Some of us are not bothered with the progress and advantages that technology gives us. The thing is, to my mind, it comes down to a simple question. How do you use technology to better YOUR life? Each of us takes it to a level that works for us. The fact that you're even reflecting about whether to us this or not is an extremely advanced situation....") Keep it up and keep thinking about how you are moving yourself forward and learning. Always be a learner. Sometimes I think people like Steven Jobs, the Apple Guru, must be a perpetual learner, as he continually comes up with the cool and great things.
Thanks for your reflection! Keep up the great blogging!

Your right. People rely way too much on technology, they take advantage of it. Especially when it gets to the point when people need to be re-taught how to write. I like your blog, nicely done :)