Re: [xmca] NYTimes.com article: Seeing No Progress, Some Schools Drop Laptops

From: Mike Cole <lchcmike who-is-at gmail.com>
Date: Sat May 05 2007 - 13:06:04 PDT

That seems a more sophisticated analysis than my quick one. Thanks.
Presumably
breaking away in the sense that Yrjo uses it and illustrated by michael
opens up, rather
than closing down, possibilities.
mike

On 5/5/07, Peg Griffin <Peg.Griffin@worldnet.att.net> wrote:
>
> I'm not sure it is "other side of that coin."
> I think forming voluntary acts IS breaking away so activities and
> institutions grow.
>
> Now, often, we elders give in to and settle for destitute reactions like
> more surveillance, more external evaluation, and restricting access
> instead
> of recognizing and engaging with the alienation controlling the youngers
> reactions. In that way we elders abandon the youngers; it comes to
> "falling
> apart" not breaking away, reaction not action, destitution not
> institution.
> PG
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: xmca-bounces@weber.ucsd.edu [mailto:xmca-bounces@weber.ucsd.edu] On
> Behalf Of Mike Cole
> Sent: Saturday, May 05, 2007 11:03 AM
> To: eXtended Mind, Culture, Activity
> Subject: Re: [xmca] NYTimes.com article: Seeing No Progress,Some Schools
> Drop Laptops
>
> Yes, this was my personal reaction too. But note that michael (and Yrjo)
> are
> sensitive to the other side of that coin. Development as intergenerational
> nurturing and belief in adult responsibility.
> Actually, the kids WERE being supported in their activities by adults who
> believed the bs about
> laptops as magic bullet means to (approved) enculturation, to the tune of
> many millions of bucks from their taxes.
>
> Note that Mark Warschauer contends no benefits in learning to read, write,
> and numerate should be expected; enrichment (approved enrichment) is what
> one should aim for. But all the while, the
> breaking away, downloading pornography, etc potential is right there and
> will not go away. Nor will the fact that google is storing this message in
> its data base for marketing purposes, and perhaps to trade with the govt
> when it suits their purposes.
>
> I am watching a group I am connected with struggle to help kids who are
> struggling in school using computers as media. Part of their struggling
> involves creating selective firewalls while the kids cleverly find their
> ways around the fire walls. Meantime the path to a job at macdonalds gets
> more and more deeply in control of their futures. Or maybe they will find
> a
> way out by signing up for the army and its bright future?
>
> As I said when I posted this story (with help from Steve) its an article
> that invites a lot of thought and discussion.
> mike
>
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Received on Sat May 5 14:07 PDT 2007

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