How much do you think modern technology has affected how our children are taught  

I say that technology has, or should have improved their level of education. Back in my day you relied on what you were told by teachers, what was in your subject book, and some outdated reference materials in the library, that usually had very little info. Now if a kid wants to learn about something, they can go online, and find loads of information. Its possible to actually know more than your teacher. I mean that's the way it should work. I've seen alot of kids though these days that are not very bright. Not sure what the deal is.

Hi oldchem1--and Welcome to myLot!

Well, if you're old-fashioned, then I am too! Like anything else--there are advantages and disadvantages to everything.
My children are grown, but my daughter is an 8th grade English teacher. I know she has difficulty getting her students not to use "textspeak" when it comes to writing compositions and book reports for example. Many of them think that is normal writing and spelling!!

I also have two little grand daughters, one in kindergarten and one in second grade. I know they have learned to use the keyboard early, learned their letters early and have great hand and eye co-ordination. There is so much information available to them at the click of a button. But, then the problem becomes how to discern from the information that's true and not true?

Even I have trouble with that, so how can they be taught the difference? I don't know if I feel that "good old fashioned research" makes any difference in learning, but the exercise getting to the library would be good--they don't need to do that anymore either!

I still remember when I was in school, everyday before going home, I used to visit the school library for my researches and assignments. I also became the president of the Book Lovers' Club during my elementary days. For complicated researches, we go to the national library on weekends if sources are not available in our school. We have to search for our topic from the books, copy what has been researched and typed them in short bond paper (both manually, the copying and the typing) cut-out pictures from old magazines or have someone to sketch or draw for me, if pictures are needed for presentation, before submitting them to the teachers. You really have to put up enough time and effort in doing this, diligence and perseverance was really needed, you have to look for several sources and references, studying each and picking only what was needed for your report before you can come up with a good report. Nowadays, as I can see with my children who are in school, they have the internet handy, search for their topic, copy the content and paste them to a blank document, search for pictures needed, copy and paste it to the document, a short conclusion or recommendation and then presto! The report is ready for printing and submission in matter of minutes.
Though the present technology makes it easier and time-saving, I am not amenable to the way how these children do their homeworks. The essence of their education has been affected. They didn't really study their lessons, they are just relying on what the internet has to offer. Well, I guess, it is sometimes depends on the student if he really want to study his lesson before the presentation, but just the same, the answer is there laid in front of him and he was not given the chance to research for it. I maybe quite old-fashioned about the studying method, but it is the only way, I think, that their lesson will retain on their minds for about a long time. Just an opinion.

I study in college and so I guess I have an answer to your question. We get tons of assignments that revolve around researches done by professors or scientists. Not a single course goes without it. I tried to use the school and public library ones. Unfortunately, what I found there were outdated book editions because those places just think it is okay to keep only one edition. But with each new year new editions get released. They usually contain updated information. But they are expensive. So not all students can afford them. Under such circumstances, we have to use peer reviewed journals which are available online only. So this technology is basically helping us learn better.

However, with this progress now there is a bit of pressure on students. Since the information is so easily available online most professors expect students to write 5 to 15 pages on them. For history majors, however, the page can go till 36. So students have to devote a longer amount of time on the computer which is kind of unhealthy. I mean it is not easy to keep looking at a screen for 2 to 3 hours. I sometimes have to go through this and I can tell you that at one point it makes me feel dizzy.

There is another problem also. Now many students bring their laptops to class and use them for typing notes from the professor's lecture. Unfortunately, the typing produces annoying noise which doesn't let other students hear what the professor is saying. I went through this problem in my last quarter's class. I really missed a lot of points from the lecture.

Technology, somehow, have bad affects. Like for using cellphones, they do text messages in shortcut. If they get used to it, it will affect their grammar language.

modern technology and development is necessary for the whole development of the world. In school level basic concept of modern technology lessons very important as the part of it computer study is compulsory for all students. I think students diverting the text books study to information technology or modern technology, library reading and other extra reading is very important for along the study,
augustine

technology really affects all people especially the kids. before when we go research, we go to the library, now children go to the net cafe and face the computer. it affect the value of the books in the library. but there is disadvantage of this high technology. we are prone to get sick because of the radiation. books is still reliable, we just need some patients and time to go to library and read books. have a nice day!

Children today are given so many more choices and opportuniies. Children today grow uo with all of the modern technology available to them. I think the eavances of such technology truly help to educate our children in so many ways.

Based on my observations, modern technology has a lot of effects on kids --- both good and bad. In terms of learning a lot of things, they can easily get the information they want through the Internet. That is one of the good effects. One of the bad effects is they have easy access to pornographic materials.

well, it depends about which country we are
speaking about, because in the different countries
kids are affected different.
but i guess that at least they are affected in about 15% of
that what they are doing at school!