(03-11-2011, 01:49 PM)Musicwhiz Wrote: [ -> ] (03-11-2011, 01:42 PM)momoeagle Wrote: [ -> ]The pen and the paper beats any other methods in many cases in terms of effectiveness, and this has not take into account that it is much cheaper than any tablets.
Hi momo,
Just curious as to why pen and paper beats any other method in terms of effectiveness. I am an advocate of the old-school style of teaching (pen, paper, physical books) so of course I am happy to hear you say this, but could you explain please?
I believe we came from the old school. Let's take a short look at history before coming to effectiveness.
Long before tablets, computers were the rage. There were lots of talks on how the education industry, and how computers will eventually replace books and etc.
Fast forward 10 years plus, the same thing are being said about tablets. Lots of projects were done on using more and more computers, and I was a "beneficiary" as a student. However, I didn't learn well enough as computers are also sources of distractions. In addition, as an engineer as well, I would say the technical problems are aplenty although solutions do already exist, and while it does seem new and interesting, the fad doesn't last too long.
In fact, if one have kids, one would probably realise the computer and internet are mostly sources of information, mostly of which the student need to consolidate, and print out on paper. And this is years after computers have been introduced to the world as an educational tool.
Why I think pen and paper are still effective. The old Chinese adage, read more, listen more, write more. Writing is an important tool of learning, and typing, especially on tablets, just isn't as effective. It is especially so when students need to tackle exam questions on paper. Does anyone foresee O levels and A levels being done entirely on tablets or PCs in the near future? In all likelihood, I say no!
As an educator, I advocate that if you read textbooks all the time but not doing papers, you become good at reading, and not necessary doing of questions. It's like, to be good at running, you have to run more. To be good at investing, you have to start investing and doing it. Reading theories and having theories without applications doesn't work.
The same goes for learning. If exams are to be conducted using tablets and PCs, then learning via tablets and PCs, including worksheets and exams, make perfect sense. But exams are conducted on paper! What other better and more effective way to train and hone your questions answering skills by answering on paper can anyone think of? So, my mantra is, to be good at doing exams on paper, you have to practice on paper. Old school but works.
Will tablets or technology eventually replace paper totally? Probably way after I turned to dust.
