https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 21 Apr 2026 02:20:16 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pen-amp-paper-are-holding-our-kids-back#post-2184826 Wed, 20 May 2015 17:55:48 +0000 looch 2184826@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mama Bird: well, I can do simple math and a lot of it is memorized. Ask me to multiply 35 by 7, for example and I can't do it without writing it down. Then, I work myself up and make computation errors.</p> <p>All I am saying is, tools could have been used to build my confidence as a child, rather than forcing me to use visuals that didn't work for me. It is a mistake I hope doesn't happen to my son. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pen-amp-paper-are-holding-our-kids-back#post-2184753 Wed, 20 May 2015 16:15:51 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2184753@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Torchwood: Visual learners often excel using digital learning! If its done properly, students that have different learning styles can choose how to best select technology to learn the lesson. A visual learner could use a digital camera to capture real examples or a design program to do a brochure, all examples much better than just reading text! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pen-amp-paper-are-holding-our-kids-back#post-2184704 Wed, 20 May 2015 15:19:25 +0000 Mama Bird 2184704@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: lol, I'm sure you can! I mean really basic stuff like figuring how many apples to buy to last three people a week, or if you really want to walk to that meeting or it's too many blocks and better just take a cab :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pen-amp-paper-are-holding-our-kids-back#post-2184652 Wed, 20 May 2015 14:43:06 +0000 Mrs. J 2184652@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Taco: Can you send me that article link? Please and thank you!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pen-amp-paper-are-holding-our-kids-back#post-2184621 Wed, 20 May 2015 14:05:23 +0000 .twist. 2184621@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: I absolutely cannot do, even basic, math in my head. It embarrasses me, but it's true. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pen-amp-paper-are-holding-our-kids-back#post-2184522 Wed, 20 May 2015 13:04:28 +0000 looch 2184522@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mama Bird: Sometimes, it's just not possible to do math in your head. I can't and I think I turned out okay, considering I have been working on wall street for 20 years. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pen-amp-paper-are-holding-our-kids-back#post-2184520 Wed, 20 May 2015 13:02:29 +0000 looch 2184520@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think there's a place for both electronic and traditional implements in a classroom.</p> <p>I struggled with math as a child, because I can't visualize in my head, which then in turn makes me nervous and then I can't even add a row of numbers together without making a computation error. Had I had access to Excel, I would have been able to get those numbers summed and focus on the larger problem.</p> <p>I think any time there is a big leap in technology, people dig in their heels and try to resist it. I just try not to be a bleeding edger and wait for a stable platform and then make my judgements. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pen-amp-paper-are-holding-our-kids-back#post-2184456 Wed, 20 May 2015 12:25:43 +0000 Torchwood 2184456@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would have hated using only electronics in school. I have 2 ereaders, but I don't use them for non-fiction because it just doesn't work for me. I don't retain the information as well. I'm a completely visual learner, so part of how I remember things I've read is to remember where they were in the book/on the page. Aside from all the issues mentioned above, this doesn't take into account different learning styles at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pen-amp-paper-are-holding-our-kids-back#post-2184443 Wed, 20 May 2015 12:15:22 +0000 Mama Bird 2184443@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Uh-huh. Sure. That is coming from a Microsoft rep, so I'd take it with a biiiiig grain of salt.</p> <p>I don't think, at least with modern technology, there is a substitute to learning with pen and paper. Let's say you're working on a math problem and need to sketch something out - you probably need to switch between a couple different applications, and keep flipping between them instead of seeing your equation and sketch on the same page. Plus there is the temptation to use a calculator for the simplest number crunching - but not being able to do basic math in your head will put you at so many disadvantages in life. Plus there's less opportunity to get distracted by web surfing if you're not taking notes on a device.</p> <p>I'm not even going into how addictive all these digital devices are. I'll be honest, I'm a little bit addicted to my phone. But I'm a grown woman with developed social skills. I'm a little nervous about the implications of kids handling electronics from a very young age, before they have the chance to really get into things that don't happen on screen. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pen-amp-paper-are-holding-our-kids-back#post-2184433 Wed, 20 May 2015 12:03:53 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2184433@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catlady: I'm the same way! I retain WAY more writing with pen and paper than typing on some electronic. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pen-amp-paper-are-holding-our-kids-back#post-2184424 Wed, 20 May 2015 11:59:37 +0000 .twist. 2184424@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Taco: OMG. That is totally disturbing. </p> <p>@HLK208: I agree. I feel like it is so important and it's already being lost. Cursive is gone, but even just printing is suffering with improper character formation, which results in even sloppier beginner writers. I have naturally messy printing (I blame being left handed!), and I struggled with proper forming of letters when I was younger. Now, they don't even teach proper formation of letters and I can see it in my kids school work. Our eldest writes almost the entire alphabet from bottom to top. It's slow and sloppy. UGH! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pen-amp-paper-are-holding-our-kids-back#post-2184403 Wed, 20 May 2015 11:47:51 +0000 HLK208 2184403@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Taco: wow! That's nuts :bummed: </p> <p>I don't agree with this at all. Yes, students need to practice using technology but writing and spelling (without spell check) is so important. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pen-amp-paper-are-holding-our-kids-back#post-2184398 Wed, 20 May 2015 11:42:55 +0000 Mrs. Taco 2184398@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel like this is a timely conversation--a co-worker just emailed me about "article spinning", a new form of cheating. Basically a student can copy any text off the internet, input it into a spinner website and the website will alter the text enough so it would not be detectable through our plagiarism tools. Seriously. </p> <p>Example from Wiki: Theodore Roosevelt Jr., often referred to by his initials TR, was an American statesman, author, explorer, soldier, naturalist, and historian who served as the 26th President of the United States. A leader of the Republican Party, he was the spokesman for the Progressive Era. </p> <p>Turned into: Theodore Roosevelt Jr., frequently alluded to by his initials TR, was an American statesman, creator, wayfarer, trooper, naturalist, and antiquarian who served as the 26th President of the United States. A pioneer of the Republican Party, he was the representative for the Progressive Era.</p> <p> :shocked: :bummed: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pen-amp-paper-are-holding-our-kids-back#post-2184390 Wed, 20 May 2015 11:30:09 +0000 Mrs. J 2184390@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Taco: We're 1:1 iPads, and it's great, but it's also a struggle. I vastly prefer having paperbacks--so much easier to flip through and keep everyone on the same page.</p> <p>I would agree that some kids are WAY more tech savvy than the adults, but at the same time, I feel like they don't problem solve as well. I constantly tell them if they don't know how to do something, GOOGLE IT. They have these dang devices attached to them... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pen-amp-paper-are-holding-our-kids-back#post-2184368 Wed, 20 May 2015 11:01:44 +0000 .twist. 2184368@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catlady: I would say that your comment is true for me as well. I write a lot of letter for my work. It is way easier for me to get all my thoughts out when I physically write out my letter on a piece of paper and then type it up afterwards. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pen-amp-paper-are-holding-our-kids-back#post-2184361 Wed, 20 May 2015 10:56:24 +0000 catlady 2184361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've read somewhere that students retain more when they physically take notes (as opposed to typing). I'm not sure how true that is generally, but it is definitely true for me. I tend to space out when I'm typing, so if I'm taking notes and typing away, I lose track of the professor. Whereas with paper and pen, somehow it's easier to stay focused. I don't know why though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pen-amp-paper-are-holding-our-kids-back#post-2184337 Wed, 20 May 2015 10:39:21 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2184337@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Taco: Yes the PD needed for true digital integration is very lagging. I'm glad you enjoy them! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pen-amp-paper-are-holding-our-kids-back#post-2184325 Wed, 20 May 2015 10:35:59 +0000 Greentea 2184325@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Taco: wow, forced? I think that's terrible. A natural creativity stems from simple tools.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pen-amp-paper-are-holding-our-kids-back#post-2184323 Wed, 20 May 2015 10:35:07 +0000 Mrs. Taco 2184323@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: Absolutely. I actually am grateful that we have the devices. I have been able to do so many engaging, differentiated lessons with them but I hate that due to the policies in place I can't utilize anything other than digital. For example, our books are all digital and just like many adults can't use kindles, my students can't stay focused reading from their 11" screen.</p> <p>Plus, students are WAY more tech savvy than half of the adults. Proxies, cheating, etc happen far too frequently. Teachers with poor classroom management have students that spend most of their time on Youtube or playing video games. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pen-amp-paper-are-holding-our-kids-back#post-2184320 Wed, 20 May 2015 10:34:33 +0000 Greentea 2184320@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't say it is completely holding them back, but yes, technology needs to be integrated. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pen-amp-paper-are-holding-our-kids-back#post-2184318 Wed, 20 May 2015 10:34:31 +0000 .twist. 2184318@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@brownie: I agree. The key note being balance. We need both. I felt like the article was suggesting to get rid of pen and paper all together! Which just seems insane to me. </p> <p>@Mrs. Taco: Thanks for the article! What better people to decide how kids learn best than the teachers teaching? Not some Microsoft exec trying to promote product. I can absolutely see how too much screen time can be counter-productive when all the kids are doing is stalking facebook. </p> <p>There has to be a balance, as you said, with all things! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pen-amp-paper-are-holding-our-kids-back#post-2184301 Wed, 20 May 2015 10:19:25 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2184301@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Taco: I agree with that article for classes that are "stand and deliver" type settings. But hopefully classrooms are evolving beyond that especially for young children. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pen-amp-paper-are-holding-our-kids-back#post-2184292 Wed, 20 May 2015 10:16:42 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2184292@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just heard this last week. There is nothing that shows that Student + Technology = Better learning . It all depends on whats done with the technology. Technology cannot be a substitution device. It has to transform teaching and learning (which would be based on many teaching pedagogy) in order to have research to show that it has an improvement. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pen-amp-paper-are-holding-our-kids-back#post-2184282 Wed, 20 May 2015 10:10:00 +0000 Mrs. Taco 2184282@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I offer this article instead: <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/tech/elements/the-case-for-banning-laptops-in-the-classroom" rel="nofollow">http://www.newyorker.com/tech/elements/the-case-for-banning-laptops-in-the-classroom</a></p> <p>I work at a "digital pilot" high school and every student has a MacBook Air. They are a GREAT tool but we are forced to do everything with them (no paper allowed) and for many students they can't handle the temptations of distractions. </p> <p>Like everything, there should be a balance. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pen-amp-paper-are-holding-our-kids-back#post-2184279 Wed, 20 May 2015 10:09:21 +0000 brownie 2184279@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I hadn't read it until now but there is some truth in it (not the whole thing and not the marketing). Too few classes are using all of the tools available to them which does mean iPads and computers. Using google for classroom this quarter has been amazing. I was out for a week having my daughter and I could keep up with my class as they got assignments and posted assignments on google drive. </p> <p>Kids need to learn to type as much as they need to learn handwriting (because who wants to go back to signatures of x). Kids need to learn programming and critical thinking skills. And they need to learn them in different areas.</p> <p>Kind of like a new puppy being introduced to many different environments so they won't freak out when taken home. There is a need for electronics in the class and a definite need for time without them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pen-amp-paper-are-holding-our-kids-back#post-2184269 Wed, 20 May 2015 10:01:01 +0000 mediagirl 2184269@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think we can combine both paper and pencil with computers and tablets and have an extremely successful teaching environment. I couldn't imagine taking away all tools for writing and just giving a child a device. </p> <p>We limit the amount of time kids use electronics. Have you ever heard of someone limiting the use of paper and pencil? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pen-amp-paper-are-holding-our-kids-back#post-2184262 Wed, 20 May 2015 09:57:17 +0000 .twist. 2184262@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Truth Bombs: I agree. I think it's ridiculous to think we should let our kids have screen time 100% of the time. I mean, hasn't it been proven somewhere (I'm so lazy, sorry google) that too much screen time is actually BAD? However, she did talk about the MATH. THE MATH IS BETTER. </p> <p>@danda: I know! I totally laughed at that. I tried to think back to my, lack of screen timed childhood, and thought, hell I have RARELY used chalk in my entire life!? Side walk drawings and writing funny shit on the board when the teacher left the room for a minute. </p> <p>@vnvdvci: They did math!!! :P </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pen-amp-paper-are-holding-our-kids-back#post-2184259 Wed, 20 May 2015 09:55:54 +0000 Maysprout 2184259@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think there's ways to make teaching more exciting and interesting using tech. But kids need still need to learn to write and draw using pencils. Not sure why it has to be one or the other. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pen-amp-paper-are-holding-our-kids-back#post-2184258 Wed, 20 May 2015 09:53:17 +0000 vnvdvci 2184258@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not really seeing where there is demonstrable evidence of this, so...dunno. Have they implemented this and actually seen better results vs. the traditional classroom? </p> <p>I can see maybe some room for this, in ways that encourage interaction (like the referenced UK study in that article). But there are probably other ways to encourage interaction I would think--not just through these hefty investments in highly breakable tech. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pen-amp-paper-are-holding-our-kids-back#post-2184257 Wed, 20 May 2015 09:51:23 +0000 andthewildones 2184257@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Truth Bombs: 100% agreed. </p>