In Classroom of Future, Stagnant Scores. The New York Times

In the article In Classroom of Future, Stagnant Scores located in The New York Times speaks about technology in the classroom and the lowering of test scores. In my opinion just because technology is being used in the classroom does not necessarily mean that the students are learning more which in turn means their test scores will raise. The growth of learning depends on the teacher, the subject, the lesson, curriculum and how the teacher is enhancing those necessities with the technology they are given. Just because a class is given fancy new tablets, boards and computers does not mean that they are automatically retaining and learning new important information. Yes it will improve their technological skills but not necessarily their knowledge on the subject matter they are being "taught." Matt Richtel the author of this article states "say digital devices let students learn at their own pace, teach skills needed in a modern economy and hold the attention of a generation weaned on gadgets," yes these are all very substantial and legitimate reasons why technology in the classroom is beneficial but why not use that money towards better teachers, newer books, field trips or after school reading and math aids. New technology is wonderful but it goes to waste if the teachers that have the access for it are not using to their students advantage. 

In the article Richtel informs the reader that Kyrene a town that has spent a ghastly amount of money of technology now has larger classrooms and fewer classes of art, music and gym. As a future are teacher I know the importance and benefits that Art and Music can bring a child. Kyrene says that their students have grown from the use of technology in the classroom, it is just that standardized tests do not test those skills. I see the pros and cons with standardized test and agree they do not test on many important subjects like art and music. Although standardized tests are here to stay from what the educational world can see so schools need to cater more towards these tests while trying not to lose all other areas of education like technology, physical education, art, and music. School systems and educators need to have a more balanced curriculum. I do believe that technology should be apart of the classroom and that it does help a lesson plan run more smoothly and allows children to learn those skills about technology because that is what kind of skills are going to be useful to them in the real world. Yet math, reading, art, etc. teach important skills that students will need in the real world as well. When it comes to technology and also standardized tests one has to be very cautious. You do not want to teach too much of one subject or skill to the point where it negatively affects another and i believe that is what has to be looked at much more closely in Kyrene and other schools like it. 

As a future art teacher I believe in the importance of learning something hands on. A student may want to be a famous Graphic Design artist but a graphic designer must first know the fundamentals of art including drawing, painting, sculpting, etc. This reminds me of how many schools are not teaching penmanship any more, to me that is disheartening. By the time I have children of my own and they are attending school will they be able to write their own name in cursive, or at all for that matter? Technology is a wonderful but too much of a good thing can be bad! They say one of the benefits of technology is so students can learn at their own pace but what if that student is on Facebook, or playing a game of solitaire or looking up funny videos on youtube; that child is not learning anything if you ask me. I would rather have fewer students and fewer laptops and teach my kids the art skills that will build their imagination, creative skills and critical thinking than have more students will laptop lights lighting up their faces and they are not gaining any creative skills or using their imagination in anyway. Like I stated before everything in moderation and everything that is used to it's students fullest potential.