This document contains excerpts from various sources from 1703 to 1985 that express concerns over changes in the educational technologies that students were relying on at different points in history. Specifically, it highlights fears that as students moved from using slates to paper to pens to calculators to computers, they were becoming too dependent on these new technologies and losing important basic skills like calculating without tools or writing by hand. The overall message is that each new technology in education faces criticism that students are becoming too reliant on conveniences instead of developing fundamental abilities.

1. Technology and
Education

2. "Students today can’t prepare bark to calculate their
problems. They depend upon their slates which are
more expensive. What will they do when their slate is
dropped and it breaks? They will be unable to write.
-Teachers Conference, 1703
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wmjas/64292098/

3. "Students today depend upon paper too
much. They don’t know how to write on
slate without getting chalk dust all over
themselves. They can’t clean a slate
properly. What will they do when they run
out of paper?”
-Principal’s Association, 1815
http://www.flickr.com/photos/r0kk/2977826242/

4. "Students depend too much on ink. They
don’t know how to use a pen knife to
sharpen a pencil. Pen and ink will never
replace the pencil."
-National Association of Teachers, 1907
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hownowdesign/2289243828/sizes/l/

5. "Students today depend upon store bought
ink. They don’t know how to make their
own. When they run out they will be
unable to write words or ciphers until their
next trip to the settlement. This is a sad
commentary on modern education.
-The Rural Teacher, 1929
http://www.flickr.com/photos/designshard/3452035317/sizes/o/

6. "Students today depend upon these
expensive fountain pins. They can no longer
write with a straight pen and nib (not to
mention sharpening their own quills). We
parents must not allow them to wallow in
such luxury to the detriment of learning
how to cope in the real business world,
which is not so extravagant."
-PTA Gazette, 1941
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thirteenofclubs/2878138972/

7. "Ball point pens will be the ruin of
education in our country. Students use
these devices and then throw them away.
The virtues of thrift and frugality are being
discarded. Business and banks will never
allow such expensive luxuries."
-The Federal Teacher, 1950

8. "Students today depend too much on
hand-held calculators."
-Anonymous, 1985

9. Today we still use pens, pencils and
calculators. Now we have computers
which make our lives even easier and
I’m sure that no matter what changes
happen in the future someone will
complain about it.
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