Is it Game Over for Education?

Technology has come a long way over the last decade and is being integrated into classrooms in the hopes to boost learning. Shaffer et al. and Ohmann share conflicting views on the subject with the former believing that technology is beneficial, while Ohmann asserts that it is harmful for students’ education.

In “Video Games and the Future of Learning” the article explores the use of Epistemic Video Games and their relation to education.. Shaffer summarizes that, “The virtual worlds of games are powerful, in other words, because playing games means developing a set of effective social practices” (Shaffer, 4). This meaning that by playing Epistemic Video games, which are games that involve the player’s interaction, the player is indulging in a world where s/he must learn about social practices and problems that can be applied to the real world. As Shaffer goes on to say, “Such epistemic games let players participate in valued communities of practice: to develop a new epistemic frame…” (Shaffer, 7). Basically, it means roleplaying, which is a frame of mind one enters and takes on a new role. By doing this, a person is able to recognize different situations and how to act accordingly, which help further education and social belonging. The epistemic games provide players a way to interact with others around the world and engage them in learning of new cultures and new ways of thinking that can be anything but harmful. But who really cares if these epistemic games help boost learning? Oh, right, the school districts might since if they really are so beneficial their students will gain higher test scores and the district will be shown in a new light. And the parents whose children literally live on the game consoles might care. Perhaps now, there is good reason to sit staring at a t.v. screen for so long… it actually can help boost learning!

Even though Ohmann is against technology as it harms education, his article does present the fact that computers do help. Students are able to learn typing skills that they normally wouldn’t acquire if they didn’t have computers. Also, many games have been developed for computers, and several help with learning. And the internet must be mentioned as it a huge part of technology. “That’s where computers, the Internet, distance learning, and individualized education come in… gain promotions, change jobs, or change fields” (Ohmann, 5). says Ohmann, who goes on to say that the internet does provide opportunities that are otherwise inaccessible. The internet offers a wide range of topics for students to explore and examine, and thusly they are able to plan ideas around them.

However, the increase in technology can harm schools, as Ohmann readily agrees upon. One main problem that many recognize is that with the increase in digital and virtual education, the need for personal contact fades. If every student didn’t have a real-live teacher, than they will suffer socially. In other words, even though they will have contacts online, it is not the same as a person who can readily help and provide human contact.

A huge issue that Ohmann describes is the increase in plagiarizing. “There is the shallowness of Internet culture, where knowledge dwindles into "information," research into plagiarism, and pedagogy into a search for trickier software to catch the plagiarists” (Ohmann, 6). Indeed, the internet provides many a opportunity for plagiarizing to be at its peak as there are so many online websites where one can find pre-written essays and other ways to copy. Although the idea of plagiarizing may seem trivial, it is crucial because later on in life children will be unable to formulate ideas of their own, which will force them to rely on others. The goal in life is to become independent and by always leaning on someone else, one will never truly succeed.

Lastly, the learning value depreciates with the advance of technology. Ohmann argues that with the internet and students having computers in class (Ohmann, 11) that students will ‘tune out’ their instructors when they’re lecturing to instead engage in checking e-mails, stocks, or chatting online (Ohmann, 3). Not to mention that with the video games, even if they are epistemic, they may take up too much of a student’s time and prevent them from doing other work that should take priority.

Ultimately, what is at stake here is children’s education. Do they or do they not gain experience by using the epistemic video games and vast resources the computers and internet provide? Or is it harming them? Shaffer and Ohmann both argue opposite claims on the subject. Depending on how it is used, it can be good or bad, and it is up to the school districts and teachers to make the call of whether such technology should be implemented into the school system or should be left alone in a corner.

New Synthesis

Technology has come a long way over the last decade and is being integrated into classrooms in the hopes to boost learning. Shaffer et al. and Ohmann share conflicting views on the subject with the former believing that technology is beneficial, while Ohmann asserts that it is harmful for students’ education.

In the article titled “Video Games and the Future of Learning” a main point made is about Epistemic Video Games. Shaffer summarizes that, “The virtual worlds of games are powerful, in other words, because playing games means developing a set of effective social practices” (Shaffer, 4). This meaning that by playing Epistemic Video games, which are games that involve the player’s interaction, the player is indulging in a world where s/he must learn about social practices and problems that can be applied to the real world. As Shaffer goes on to say, ” Such epistemic games let players participate in valued communities of practice: to develop a new epistemic frame…” (Shaffer, 7). Basically, it means roleplaying, which is a frame of mind one enters and takes on a new role. By doing this, a person is able to recognize different situations and how to act accordingly, which help further education and social belonging. The epistemic games provide players a way to interact with others around the world and engage them in learning of new cultures and new ways of thinking that can be anything but harmful.

Even though Ohmann is against technology as it harms education, his article does present the fact that computers do help. Students are able to learn typing skills that they normally wouldn’t acquire if they didn’t have computers. Also, many games have been developed for computers, and several help with learning. And the internet must be mentioned as it a huge part of technology. “That’s where computers, the Internet, distance learning, and individualized education come in… gain promotions, change jobs, or change fields” (Ohmann, 5). says Ohmann, who goes on to say that the internet does provide opportunities that are otherwise inaccessible. The internet offers a wide range of topics for students to explore and examine, and thusly they are able to plan ideas around them.

However, the increase in technology can harm schools, as Ohmann readily agrees upon. One main problem that many recognize is that with the increase in digital and virtual education, the need for personal contact fades. If every student didn’t have a real-live teacher, than they will suffer socially. Even though they will have contacts online, it is not the same as a person who can readily help and provide human contact.

A huge issue that Ohmann describes is the increase in plagiarizing. “There is the shallowness of Internet culture, where knowledge dwindles into "information," research into plagiarism, and pedagogy into a search for trickier software to catch the plagiarists” (Ohmann, 6). Indeed, the internet provides many a opportunity for plagiarizing to be at its peak as there are so many online websites where one can find pre-written essays and other ways to copy.

Lastly, the learning value depreciates with the advance of technology. Ohmann argues that with the internet and students having computers in class (Ohmann, 11) that students will ‘tune out’ their instructors when they’re lecturing to instead engage in checking e-mails, stocks, or chatting online (Ohmann, 3). Not to mention that with the video games, even if they are epistemic, they may take up too much of a student’s time and prevent them from doing other work that should take priority.

In sum, Shaffer and Ohmann both present differing views that technology can help or harm education. Depending on how it is used, it can be good or bad, and it is up to the school districts and teachers to make the call of whether such technology should be implemented into the school system or should be left alone in a corner.

Synthesis of Tech

Statement: Technology has come a long way over the last decade and is being integrated into classrooms in the hopes to boost learning. Shaffer et al. and Ohmann share conflicting views on the subject with the former believing that technology is beneficial, while Ohmann asserts that it is harmful for students’ education.

Outline:

Benefits of Technology:
A. Epistemic video games
- How to react in situations
- Role-playing of different jobs and occupations
- Having the chance to ‘restart’ and rethink the situation
- Always reaching the baseline; but being exposed to different ways of doing so
- Interact with people around the world

B. Computers
- Allow students chance to learn about spreadsheets and typing skills
- Access to games for learning

C. Internet
- Wide range of topics and articles for research
- Able to play off ideas and discuss papers with classmates or teacher
-Broaden horizons of learning
- Interact with people around the world; learn about cultures, etc.

Disadvantages of Technology:
A. Real vs. Digital
- Human interaction isn’t possible if everything is online or on screens
- Won’t be able to ask questions

B. Plagiarizing
- Much easier to do on a computer with internet access
- Tend to use others’ ideas more

C. Learning Value
- Tend to ‘tunnel out’ teachers when teaching if you have computer
- Might not absorb everything on screen
- Spend too much time on video games and neglect other studies

Compies in Schools

School used to mean sitting behind desks with paper and books and listening as the teacher lectured and taught from the front. Well, in New Jersey that doesn’t seem to be the case. Children are instead all equipped with their own laptop and even over in West Virginia student are all given their own laptop and have a computer installed in their own home. At least that’s what Richard Ohmann’s view of the classes looked like as he describes in his article Computers and Technology.

Ohmann goes on to say that despite the increase of technology, the increase hasn’t helped actually all that much. As he writes, “thirty percent of college courses had websites a year ago, and sixty percent used e-mail as a tool for instruction ‘ but only fourteen percent of the administrators surveyed on this subject held that “technology has improved instruction on my campus” " (63). The author then goes to say how “a lot of that venture capital vaporized in the dot.com debacle” (63), to explain that despite all of the money being put into the computers most of it had vanished and had not been put to much use for the potential investors. He goes on to argue that the computers and internet access are actually harming learning as it leads to more plagiarism and ways for students to cheat and that by giving them computers many students are likely to tune out their teachers and surf the internet instead (63). In sum, Ohmann argues how computers are not helping students or their investors but actually harming them even though many people believe the computers are helping.


I agree with Ohmann up to a point. I follow his lead on the idea that computers do present an easier way for students to cheat and plagiarize and how many students would surf the internet instead of paying attention in class. After all, if I was in an insanely boring lecture I’d want to go online too. However, I disagree on his reasoning that computers only bring harm. They have many good qualities too by allowing students to broaden their horizons and gather more information quicker and easier than looking in books. It also presents students with the knowledge of how to type, learn spreadsheets, and work their way through things they’ll most likely use later in life. All in all, I would say the internet and computers should be used in classes, but only when the assignment calls for them so they’re used responsibly.

Glitz, Glam, and all that Stuff

Ads for weight loss and ‘miracle stories’ of how ‘so-and-so lost fifty pounds in just three months!’ play continuously on television. Beauty and Fashion tips are published in hundreds of magazines that have the sole purpose of showing how beautiful you could become. They invade and overwhelm our senses, dragging us down into their glittering, shimmering pool that’s so deep we can’t help but submerge ourselves in it. Let’s say, though, that someone threw you a life preserver to pull you from that abyss. Would you grab hold of it or would you rather be pulled into the glam and glitz that has taken a hold of society? Well, Susan Bordo would tell you to grab that preserver and haul yourself back up. Better yet, she’s probably the one who threw it to you.

Susan Bordo is the author of the article “The Empire of Images in Our World of Bodies,” and a strong believer in women’s natural beauty. Natural meaning that women don’t need to have facelifts and liposuction to appear ’perfect’. She believes that women should feel comfortable with their differences and be happy with their natural body instead of forcing it to become a ’perfect’ one, but at the same time respecting the said body. After all, she writes, “When did “perfection” become applicable to a human body? The word suggests a Platonic form of timeless beauty- appropriate for marble, perhaps, but not for living flesh” (151). Basically, Bordo is suggesting that perfection is never truly achievable and that all of the treatments and effort that go into it are wasted efforts. Further elaborating, Bordo goes on to tell of the CNN Legal Analyst, Greta Van Sustren, who was never known for her looks, but for her authority and fairness. When she went and had a facelift done, Bordo claimed that “another source of inspiration bit the dust” (151).

The impact of the current happenings in today’s culture are hitting Bordo especially hard as she tries to protect her daughter from the onslaught of fake pictures. Pictures that cause so many young girls to indulge in acts of anorexia so as to look like the models they see on t.v. and in magazines, not even aware that most of those images have been airbrushed over. However, despite knowing of the falsity, Bordo makes a valid point when she writes, “…you can be a cynical as you want about the ads…and still feel powerless to resist their messages” (154).

Bordo does admit that there are some instances that give her hope, showing that not everyone has been sucked into the whirlpool. Instances like seeing all of the women athletes excel in sports that don’t have a thing to do with gymnastics (155-156), and a woman proudly displaying her round stomach for all to see (160-161). But “such moments are fleeting” (161). In the harsh reality of the world, Bordo sees only the deterioration of natural aging. To summarize her view she quotes, “ “Aging beautifully” used to mean wearing one’s years with style, confidence, and vitality. Today, it means not appearing to age at all” (150). And as too many people interpret beauty to be flawless, real beauty dwindles and dies like a flower covered in frost.

I agree that Bordo is right to say that women should be happier with their natural bodies and respect themselves for it because my experience in everyday life has confirmed it. Everyday I see multiple people, most especially girls, eating very little and then running to the gym. Laughing off the fact that they don’t eat breakfast. Applying coat after coat of makeup to make themselves ‘beautiful’.

Beauty isn’t something that you can categorize in just a few words like most people seem to think. There are all sorts of beauty, just like there are all sorts of people. All types have merit and all types are gorgeous. But that goes back to what society thinks is beautiful and what isn’t. Some companies are trying to make a dent and show the world that ‘bigger can be better’. Take Lane Bryant for example. A very popular clothing line is now using ‘larger’ models in their magazines and no longer refer to larger sizes as ‘plus’ since those sizes are becoming the norm as they should have always been (159). If one company can start it, there isn’t any reason why more shouldn’t and then continue on to the consumers.

I also concur with Bordo’s analysis that young girls (around the ages of twelve) should not be practicing strip teasing and flaunting about in skimpy little outfits at that age. Sharon Lamb, the author of “The Secret Life of Girls” thinks that those kinds of things are perfectly natural and that children should indulge (158). Hell no! A limit has to be placed and that starts with what is safe and what’s not. When swimming turns to drowning, the fun and games are over and the idea of playing ‘sexy, little princess’ suddenly don’t matter as much. You need to respect your body like you would a precious jewel. It is, after all, the main part of you and there’s no reason to make it dull so soon in life when it should sparkle and shine.

So yes, I do agree with Bordo that the world is slowly revolving around the glitzy lifestyle that so many women, young and old, hope to achieve, and that a true natural beauty is difficult to come by. But when you see that life preserver, you better grip onto it and at least let an anchor of reality seep into you while you indulge in the false way of life. That being so, so that when you come to realize reality as you grow older you’ll have some lifeline to pull back on.

Take 1: Swimming Against the Waves

Ads for weight loss and ‘miracle stories’ of how ‘so-and-so lost fifty pounds in just three months!’ play continuously on television. Beauty and Fashion tips are published in hundreds of magazines that have the sole purpose of showing how beautiful you could become. They invade and overwhelm our senses, dragging us down into their glittering, shimmering pool that’s so deep we can’t help but submerge ourselves in it. Let’s say, though, that someone threw you a life preserver to pull you from that abyss. Would you grab hold of it or would you rather be pulled into the glam and glitz that has taken a hold of society? Well, Susan Bordo would tell you to grab that preserver and haul yourself back up. Better yet, she’s probably the one who threw it to you.

Susan Bordo is the author of the article “The Empire of Images in Our World of Bodies,” and a strong believer in women’s natural beauty. Natural meaning that women don’t need to have facelifts and liposuction to appear ’perfect’. She believes that women should feel comfortable with their differences and be happy with their natural body instead of forcing it to become a ’perfect’ one, but at the same time respecting the said body. After all, she writes, “When did “perfection” become applicable to a human body? The word suggests a Platonic form of timeless beauty- appropriate for marble, perhaps, but not for living flesh” (151). Basically, Bordo is suggesting that perfection is never truly achievable and that all of the treatments and effort that go into it are wasted efforts. Further elaborating, Bordo goes on to tell of the CNN Legal Analyst, Greta Van Sustren, who was never known for her looks, but for her authority and fairness. When she went and had a facelift done, Bordo claimed that “another source of inspiration bit the dust” (151).

The impact of the current happenings in today’s culture are hitting Bordo especially hard as she tries to protect her daughter from the onslaught of fake pictures. Pictures that cause so many young girls to indulge in acts of anorexia so as to look like the models they see on t.v. and in magazines, not even aware that most of those images have been airbrushed over. However, despite knowing of the falsity, Broco makes a valid point when she writes, “…you can be a cynical as you want about the ads…and still feel powerless to resist their messages” (154).

Broco does admit that there are some instances that give her hope that not everyone has been sucked into the whirlpool. Instances like seeing all of the women athletes excel in sports that don’t have a thing to do with gymnastics, and a woman proudly displaying her round stomach for all to see. But “such moments are fleeting”. In the harsh reality of the world, Bordo sees only the deterioration of natural aging. To summarize her view she quotes, “ “Aging beautifully” used to mean wearing one’s years with style, confidence, and vitality. Today, it means not appearing to age at all.” And as too many people interpret beauty to be flawless, real beauty dwindles and dies like a flower covered in frost.

I agree that Bordo is right to say that women should be happier with their natural bodies and respect themselves for it because my experience in everyday life has confirmed it. Everyday I see multiple people, most especially girls, eating very little and then running to the gym. Laughing off the fact that they don’t eat breakfast. Applying coat after coat of makeup to make themselves ‘beautiful’.

Beauty isn’t something that you can categorize in just a few words like most people seem to think. There are all sorts of beauty, just like there are all sorts of people. All types have merit and all types are gorgeous. But that goes back to what society thinks is beautiful and what isn’t. Some companies are trying to make a dent and show the world that ‘bigger can be better’. Take Lane Bryant for example. A very popular clothing line is now using ‘larger’ models in their maganizes and no longer refer to larger sizes as ‘plus’ since those sizes are becoming the norm as they should have always been (159). If one company can start it, there isn’t any reason why more shouldn’t and then continue on to the consumers.

I also concur with Bordo’s analysis that young girls (around the ages of twelve) should not be practicing strip teasing and flaunting about in skimpy little outfits at that age. Sharon Lamb, the author of “The Secret Life of Girls” thinks that those kinds of things are perfectly natural and that children should indulge. Hell no! A limit has to be placed and that starts with what is safe and what’s not. When swimming turns to drowning, the fun and games are over and the idea of playing ‘sexy, little princess’ suddenly don’t matter as much. You need to respect your body like you would a precious jewel. It is, after all, the main part of you and there’s no reason to make it dull so soon in life when it should sparkle and shine.

So yes, I do agree with Bordo that the world is slowly revolving around the glitzy lifestyle that so many women, young and old, hope to achieve, and that a true natural beauty is difficult to come by. But when you see that life preserver, you better grip onto it and at least let an anchor of reality seep into you while you indulge in the false way of life, so that when you come to realize reality as you grow older you’ll have some lifeline to pull back on.

Blame the Eater? Mebbe, Mebbe Not.

Summary 1

In the article “Don’t Blame the Eater” by David Zinczenko, he argues that it is impossible to find inexpensive and convenient solutions to eating other than fast-food. The difficulty, he claims, is there are hardly any places in which anyone, most specifically a teenager, can find a place for healthy food. As he elaborates, one can drive down any street in America and generally find some type of fast-food restaurant whether it be McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Burger King, or one of the many others. But finding a grapefruit? You’d be better off looking for a needle in a haystack.

On the contrary, I find that the search for a healthy alternative isn’t so far out of reach. The solution lies in knowing how to locate the substitute food without breaking your back. And fortunately for the American public, if you know where to look it isn’t all that hard to find.

Summary 2


In his article “Don’t Blame the Eater,” David Zinczenko insists that fast-food companies are to be blamed for the youthful obesity filling the nation. As he asserts, fast-food companies do not provide accurate labeling for calorie contents on their products, which in turn leads to an unhealthy consumption of said products. He theorizes of bringing lawsuits to companies of this nature, like McDonald’s and Burger King, to make them pay for their disregard to a good handful of America’s teenage population that are overweight due to the food they provide.

I support Zinczenko in his argument that the fast-food companies are contributing to the growing obesity problem in America because of the lack of information on what exactly is being eaten and all of the calories and carbs that go with it. However, I do have to disagree on the stance of bring lawsuits against the companies. Even though they do not provide warning labels or calorie charts, it is unfair to say they take all the blame for that. Personal responsibility of knowing how bad fast-food is should be noted, and people should not blame the companies because of their decision to indulge in fatty foods.

Not quite Apples to Apples

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6982717.stm

Summary: Apple dropped the price of the iPhone from $500 to $300 in just the two months that the product has been on the market. With a $200 cut, many customers who bought the phone when it first came out were very upset and with great understanding. Apple, in turn, offered all who had bought it a $100 voucher for compensation.

“They Say” : The ‘they’ in this case is Apple; the company that made the iPhone.

Mr. Jobs said the price cut was the right move.

Steve Jobs, the chief executive of Apple did believe that he and his company were in the right to lower the price after such a short time. After all, they made a profit while the customers suffered despite Jobs’ claim that ‘We [Apple] want to do what is right thing for our valued iPhone customers’.As the author of the article goes to point out, Apple unleashed several new products that made many customers not even aware of the price cut, and provided a shield for Apple to hide behind.“They Say” they were in the right while “I say” (as the author of the article) that Apple had no right to lower the prices and try to hide it.