The Computer Delusion

It was interesting to read this article and how Todd Oppenheimer put on the table the different points of view about the use of computer not only on education, but at home as well. I have been very excited with the endless possibilities on how I can explore technology in my Spanish classes, but I know that for everything there is a limit, a balance and certainly an objective. While I was reading this article I kept thinking about some other reading we did that mentioned that we need to know what is the learning outcome to better plan the activity we will be implementing. For sure the use of computers can be a disaster if the teacher is not skillful and doesn't have a detailed plan on how to combine technology and student learning.
There is nothing that can replace the activities that require hands on and imagination, because those activities develop a deep learning and a connection between the learner and the content. However, the appropriate use of the technology can definitely help students to enhance their learning if it's used as a supplement not as the main tool. We have been learning so many different ways to embed technology in instruction and how we can reach out for the different learning styles in our classroom. This is great, but the teacher needs to balance the amount of technology is being used. I am definitely against cutting funds to programs such as art and music to the benefit of buying more computers. I think that ideally each school should have a computer lab,but most important than that, teachers should be trained on how to get the best from this great machine. I loved when he compared the computer with a "amplifier", that is, it can encourages both enlightened practices and thoughtless ones.
Two other points that made me think is how very young kids are already being exposed to computers and how the excess use of computer is taking the time from the kids to seat and have a "real" dialogue with a friend or their parents. I see that in my home and many times it's a struggle to get my daughter to stop using her computer and just be still. Once again, for everything is necessary to have a balance. Good teachers should still use student-centered activities and hands on activities but also take advantage of the technology because it can definitely brings a lot of spark in the classroom.