The story says that the system uses "deep packet inspection," but if the traffic is encrypted how can the data be read? That part seems to be missing from the article
That is probably true, but since color changing has a clearly marked dedicated button, I don't think people take powerpoint classes for that. In many ways, the stuff taught in powerpoint classes is fluff that does nothing but keep the audience from falling asleep. The basics are intuitive enough that you only need a class if you will make presentations very frequently.
Hey, did this double-post? I got a strange error.
You are right that it all depends on whether or not there is internet access. That is the biggest problem with what I said, but it will be overcome in time. The answer to your quesiton about the book was already in my post: learn the basics of both, and use the one that is faster and easier for you. That is typically the computer method. That eliminates both 'what about when there is no comp' and 'what about when there is no book.' I've never had your problem with dictionary.com, but then again I use google instead and I've also become adapt with english's screwed up spelling, so computers usually know what I mean. The problem with other languages exists with books too. You just have to use a different dictionary.
I think what is happening here is two people talking about two different problems. Computers are unargueably faster at math, but the total time in solving a problem is longer for computers with simple problems. 'Simple' does depend greatly on the person, but not everyone can do even relativly simple math in their heads. I also liked the one-line answers for arithmetic and have trouble with traditional methods, but that doesn't mean everyone does. Calculator usage should be left for the student to decide, with restrictions of course.
One of the points you suggest is that almost nothing can be described as 'irrelevant.' You used the example of the font color in a ppt slide. There is lots of research into how colors affect the mind, as well as anecdotal evidence showing that colors and such 'pointless' things matter greatly. I've made ppt presentations that were accepted much better after I changed a strange color of the background from bright orange to royal blue. I also noticed that the people working with me on the slides argued with my ideas less after the slides became blue. Text color is no different. Now that I've ranted for a while, I'll summarize. Don't base anything dealing with education on relevency, because you don't know what is relevent to life.
I've grown up with computers. I know how to use a dictionary to spell an unknown word phonetically. I know the general idea of the pronunciation guide. I can use a thesaurus. Because of that, I know that electronic resources are infinitely better. They are much faster and easier with only a couple of hours of training, which is only a little more than for the paper-based alternatives, and they have more information. Example: I wasn't sure how to spell 'thesaurus' in an earlier sentence. Or, for that matter, 'earlier.' All I had to do was move my mouse and type my guess of the word into a floating search box. I saw that my guess was correct. With a dictionary, I would need to go to my bookshelf, get it down, find the letter 't,' look for the next letter of my guess, etc. It takes much longer. I only use my skill with the dictionary when I'm writing in-class essays. When I do use them, the lack of information as compared to my computer is very noticeable. Dictionaries give me a few definitions. The computer gives me detailed encyclopedia entries, web pages about the word/term, and many more definitions than can fit in any dictionary. I can find who invented the thesaurus and the opinions of various writers on whether they help or hinder the education of students. Nothing small enough to carry in a backpack can ever match that kind of versatility.
However, I do agree with what you said about the grammar of 1337 and AIMspeak.
P.S. In another example of the usefulness of the computer, I found a couple typing mistakes by pasting this into Word and seeing what wasn't a real word.
Good point. The trophy was displayed in a prominent position, but not in the hallway. For some reason, my school didn't have a case for the various sports and academics trophies. They just go in the room of the teacher who is thought to deserve it most. I still have a good relationship with the school admins, so I think I'll suggest that to them. It wouldn't even cost them anything, since one of the teachers has her students build something for the school every year.
There are still intelectual competitions. Those who succeed are often praised too -- but only by their peers and teachers. When I was in 7th and 8th grade, I competed in something called Science Olympiad. It's similar to the more well-know Academic Decathelon. my team did decently (2nd in LA, 8th in CA), and all the teachers and people in my class celebrated that. The problem: it was the honors class. Despite two assembilies where what we did was mentioned, most people in the school still didn't know or care. As you can see, having more academic competitons won't make all that much of a differenc. i definately agree with all your other points though.
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The story says that the system uses "deep packet inspection," but if the traffic is encrypted how can the data be read? That part seems to be missing from the article
I agree. This isn't even "laugh at you, not with you" funny.
That is probably true, but since color changing has a clearly marked dedicated button, I don't think people take powerpoint classes for that. In many ways, the stuff taught in powerpoint classes is fluff that does nothing but keep the audience from falling asleep. The basics are intuitive enough that you only need a class if you will make presentations very frequently. Hey, did this double-post? I got a strange error.
You are right that it all depends on whether or not there is internet access. That is the biggest problem with what I said, but it will be overcome in time. The answer to your quesiton about the book was already in my post: learn the basics of both, and use the one that is faster and easier for you. That is typically the computer method. That eliminates both 'what about when there is no comp' and 'what about when there is no book.' I've never had your problem with dictionary.com, but then again I use google instead and I've also become adapt with english's screwed up spelling, so computers usually know what I mean. The problem with other languages exists with books too. You just have to use a different dictionary.
I think what is happening here is two people talking about two different problems. Computers are unargueably faster at math, but the total time in solving a problem is longer for computers with simple problems. 'Simple' does depend greatly on the person, but not everyone can do even relativly simple math in their heads. I also liked the one-line answers for arithmetic and have trouble with traditional methods, but that doesn't mean everyone does. Calculator usage should be left for the student to decide, with restrictions of course.
One of the points you suggest is that almost nothing can be described as 'irrelevant.' You used the example of the font color in a ppt slide. There is lots of research into how colors affect the mind, as well as anecdotal evidence showing that colors and such 'pointless' things matter greatly. I've made ppt presentations that were accepted much better after I changed a strange color of the background from bright orange to royal blue. I also noticed that the people working with me on the slides argued with my ideas less after the slides became blue. Text color is no different. Now that I've ranted for a while, I'll summarize. Don't base anything dealing with education on relevency, because you don't know what is relevent to life.
I've grown up with computers. I know how to use a dictionary to spell an unknown word phonetically. I know the general idea of the pronunciation guide. I can use a thesaurus. Because of that, I know that electronic resources are infinitely better. They are much faster and easier with only a couple of hours of training, which is only a little more than for the paper-based alternatives, and they have more information. Example: I wasn't sure how to spell 'thesaurus' in an earlier sentence. Or, for that matter, 'earlier.' All I had to do was move my mouse and type my guess of the word into a floating search box. I saw that my guess was correct. With a dictionary, I would need to go to my bookshelf, get it down, find the letter 't,' look for the next letter of my guess, etc. It takes much longer. I only use my skill with the dictionary when I'm writing in-class essays. When I do use them, the lack of information as compared to my computer is very noticeable. Dictionaries give me a few definitions. The computer gives me detailed encyclopedia entries, web pages about the word/term, and many more definitions than can fit in any dictionary. I can find who invented the thesaurus and the opinions of various writers on whether they help or hinder the education of students. Nothing small enough to carry in a backpack can ever match that kind of versatility. However, I do agree with what you said about the grammar of 1337 and AIMspeak. P.S. In another example of the usefulness of the computer, I found a couple typing mistakes by pasting this into Word and seeing what wasn't a real word.
Good point. The trophy was displayed in a prominent position, but not in the hallway. For some reason, my school didn't have a case for the various sports and academics trophies. They just go in the room of the teacher who is thought to deserve it most. I still have a good relationship with the school admins, so I think I'll suggest that to them. It wouldn't even cost them anything, since one of the teachers has her students build something for the school every year.
There are still intelectual competitions. Those who succeed are often praised too -- but only by their peers and teachers. When I was in 7th and 8th grade, I competed in something called Science Olympiad. It's similar to the more well-know Academic Decathelon. my team did decently (2nd in LA, 8th in CA), and all the teachers and people in my class celebrated that. The problem: it was the honors class. Despite two assembilies where what we did was mentioned, most people in the school still didn't know or care. As you can see, having more academic competitons won't make all that much of a differenc. i definately agree with all your other points though.