The Overdominance of Computers

by Lowell W. Monke



In this article, the author discusses the debate regarding computers as effective learning tools. While not completely dismissing the need for computers in education, he asserts the need to prepare students to be able to handle the power of high-tech tools wisely. In order to prepare students, they need to have strong inner resouces, such as good moral judgment and empathy. They need inner strength and life experience to balance the power of high-tech instruments. Without strong inner resources, students could use technology to destroy others sense of self and work with a only a few keystrokes. Balancing technology with real world experience is critical to helping students develop as ethical adults.

• Ethical disciple is necessary to help students know how to flex their technical muscle.
• Balance between the digital world and the real world is vital to create ethical adults.
• Technology can create distance from the living world.
• Students should learn how to examine technology's role in human affairs.
• Schools must help students to develop their humanity, outside of the digital world.

Digital technology is a wonderful tool to assist teachers in educating students, but it must be balanced with contact to the living world. Too much technology distances students from the real world, and it is contact with others and the living world that helps to create compassionate, ethical adults. With the high-tech world constantly changing, and arising ethical situations, students need to understand what effect technology can have on humanity and the world. Teaching students to be ethical adults is a very important part of education, and as educators, we must take that role very seriously.