Synthesis Paper

Technology is perhaps the most important tool of our time. The vast majority of our population would not be able to make it through one day, let alone an hour without using a piece of technology. Whether it is a television, cell phone, or a computer, people would not make it. This technology has even made its way into the classroom, taking over most “normal” ways of teaching. Computers are replacing books, film, and even, to a degree, teachers. While items like email, and instant messaging, can be helpful, often time’s students resort only to email, and never actually talk to teachers. Many people even believe that with this technology, comes big corporate names, Microsoft, Google, Yahoo, all large companies, that with the surge of technology, people argue that these companies are taking over the classroom.
The use of these large corporations in the classrooms, takes some control from the teachers and school board, and gives it to these corporations. These corporations have control, because they control what we see and use through the technology. Many critics of putting technology in the classroom fear that with these large corporations present in classrooms will hurt students more than help them. Because these corporations can choose what and how we learn it will replace perhaps the most important item of learning, the teacher. Many critics stay by the fact that the teacher is the most important tool for learning.
While many critics are against the use of technology in the classroom, there are clear benefits to it. Epistemic games place students into real life situations, to get practice for their occupations that they would otherwise not have, until on the work force. This kind of practice will change the way a student thinks, because in a standard classroom they are just taught the standard facts, but with the practice these games offer, they will cause the student to think outside of merely what they are taught. This kind of practice allows the student’s mind to grow and expand to meet the demands of his occupation.
Putting more of this technology would immensely help students when they need to go to the work force. However, caution needs to be held to make sure that corporations do not take over the classroom. As long as corporate control can be kept from the classroom, then the epistemic games and internet will improve teaching methods vastly. The shift from classic methods of teaching, to a more technological approach, is needed, but caution needs to be taken.