Pencil Revolution
I was given this article to read, and I thought it made an interesting point. The article talks about the comparison between the introduction of the pencil into society as compared to the revolution of technology in our society. This article is from 1984, yet it relates to the debate in education today as to if technology is really helping children learn more efficiently / effectively.
The first uses of the pencil, was in the world of commerce to create price tags. Then, attorney’s found they could quadruple business with a “written contract.”
The article then talks about how the “tool” (the pencil) was in high demand at the university level, and this sparked a debate about the pencil’s importance in the classroom. A common feeling toward the pencil was, “just because they have the pencils does not mean that a lot of education is going on.” This comment struck me as a similar argument that the naysayer have with the importance of technology in the classroom. I had never thought about the “pencil”, a tool, and its introduction to society, just as some of my fifth grade students can probably not imagine how the world survived without computers, cell phones, and video cameras.
The article then goes on to discuss how the most “privileged” students were provided with personal pencils. They conducted a study, which compared personal pencil using students with their non-pencil using peers, and they saw a big difference. Those personal pencil users were able to compute math problems far more quickly than their peers. What a concept!
So, I guess my point in comparing these two articles was that all innovations and advancements in technology are questioned regarding their importance, even something as “innovative” as the pencil!
How wonderful to look back on the pencil from a technological standpoint. Have we defined technology purely from an electrical standpoint? Merriam-Webster defined innovation as “the introduction of something new”, “a new idea, method, or device”. Definitely the pencil was that in its time.
I love it! That article sounds great and like a wonderful one we should have Len send out to the naysayers. I will have to read it, thanks for the link.
I enjoy reading your posts. You find the most interesting articles. The Revolution of a Pencil reminds me of some animation schools that have dropped their 2-D animation and drawing classes because the industry claims the future is in 3-D and everything is done on a computer. Over the years we have seen Disney layoff several hundred 2-D animators.
Its interesting to think about the pencil as the technology used back then, but even todays technology isn’t used as much as it could be because people haven’t bought into it yet. Take Podcasting, many people are afraid to use it, but it can be a powerful tool (just like the pencil).
I really like the comparrison you made between the pencil and the digital age of technology we live in today. Interesting that now-a-days, students with computers are not considered privledged any more.
I wonder what our privledged students will have next.
Great reminder of past technologies! What goes around comes around.
I continually see both the old and the new in our current response to emerging technololgies:
- the pace of change seems faster now, and the computer is an amazing all-purpose tool/environment
but…
- we still see the same patterns of hype, overselling, and lack of understanding, rollowed by the backlash of disillusioned, frustrated users.
Students of the past will be prepared to resist the hype and overselling. But they won’t be simple deniers of the tool. We all need to look for the responsible, appropriate uses of leaerning technologies. As an IDT professional you can help avoid the excesses, and help your colleagues make appropriate use of these truly powerful tools!