Has Technology Undercut Critical Thinking?

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Has Technology Undercut Critical Thinking?

• Henry J. Coffman

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Position

• Critical Thinking is being undercut by Technology
• Substantiate it by examples in this paper
• Top 3 (or 4)
• Get a copy of my paper
• Have recommendations but wont do for time!!

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Literature Review

• Hypertext vs. Linear textbook Style
• Hypertext empowers the reader by allowing reader
  to go anywhere via links (Landow)
• Miall/Dobson Study (Disrupt reading process)
• 70 participants (17-28 yrs)
• Control group for linear method
• Second group for hypertext
• Results hypertext at each node 4-7 secs longer
• 75 complained of difficulty in following as
  opposed to 10 of linear (SAME TEXT USED)

Point 1 Technology Provides Negative Impact on
Comprehension
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Writing Processes

• Grammar and Spelling dependencies (Word) and
  Wizards (skills lessen over time)
• Plagiarism
• Cut/Paste
• Turnitin.com detected 1/3 of students work is
  copied in whole or part
• 122 students at UVA
• Tech gives opportunity for cheating and less
  desire for organizational thought

Point 2 Technology lessens an individuals
learned skills and creativity through its
perceived windows of opportunity.
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Oratory Processes

• Do presentations subtract from use of original
  thought and purpose?
• Study in New York class of 7th graders who used
  PP for Literature plays
• Students more interested in fonts and formats
  than content/thought expression
• Technical Coordinator at Middle School believes
  cookie cutter approach because of the content
  wizard
• Alliance for Childhood limits childs
  imagination because it standardizes ideas and not
  support expression
• Web Page Message

Point 3 Technology limits the imagination, and
expression of the orator as well as the message
of the presentation.
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Information Resources

• Information Overload
• Limitation of focus WYSINNWYW
• Look outside of the box libraries
• Use multiple search engines
• Dr. Muir Example for HJC

Point 4 Technology can project an illusion
over reality.
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Mathematics Understanding (Technology Dependency)
Dont Do Time!

• Is this related to Critical thinking?
• Machine Dependent (Engineers, Decision Analyses,
  Risk Analyses, problem solving)
• Examples Checkbook balances/taxes
• Case in point 13 year old student remarks does
  not know how to keep up with studies without his
  computer.
• What would you do if the electricity of the world
  went out for a prolong period?

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Classroom Impact (Configurations)
Dont Do Time!

• Computers in classroom affects learning process
• Discussion style vs. lecture-style
• Could prove important if discussion is about
  construction of good debate arguments

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Summary of Points!!

• Point 1 Technology Provides Negative Impact on
  Comprehension
• Point 2 Technology lessens an individuals
  learned skills and creativity through its
  perceived windows of opportunity.
• Point 3 Technology limits the imagination, and
  expression of the orator as well as the message
  of the presentation.
• Point 4 Technology can project an illusion
  over reality.

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Recommendations
Dont Do Time!

• Hypertext vs. linear (make flow easier)
• Productivity Tools (PowerPoint/Word) parallel
  the basics and dont get wrapped up in beauty
• Plagiarism vs thought organization difficult to
  stop technology I can see you feeling if
  someone takes your work
• Information Overload narrow down search
  parameters use different search engines realize
  other sources
• Technology Dependency parallel basic techniques
• Classroom Configurations 3 choices stroll,
  semi-lecture, change course to discussion style

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Remember to teach the fundamentals!! Football at
its best!!!!

• Cooper few studies have shown technology
  increases efficiency in education as it has in
  other endeavors.