The Article
In this article, Assistant Professor Vivienne Collinson argues that as student use of computers increases, teachers will be more indispensable than ever to guide the intellectual, social, and moral development of children. To illustrate this point, Collinson describes intellectual, social, and moral issues that one teacher has faced in a technology-rich school.

Discussion
Collinson points out that the widespread access to computer technology in the classroom has brought with it a plethora of social and moral issues that teachers have not previously faced. She is clear that computers are a powerful tool, especially adept at accessing, arranging, and storing vast amounts of information. But technology has its shortcomings. “Computers do not teach children to question, to discriminate among sources of information, to weigh perspectives, to think about consequences, to bring contextual meaning to a situation, to be creative, or to make careful judgments.” As access to information increases through technology, teachers will have to teach students how to judge the source, relevance, and quality of information. Teachers will also have to set explicit criteria and expectations for quality and then teach students how to judge the quality and presentation of their own work. She also provides examples of situations where students misuse computers, ranging from plagiarism to hacking into Internet servers. And she also describes how the potential social isolation and lack of involvement that computer technology can encourage. Thus, computers are inadequate in preparing adolescents socially and morally for a life in a complex, democratic society. She concludes that: “Computers are now a fact of life in American schools although accessibility and instructional use vary widely. The introduction of computers into classrooms has brought both blessings and burdens to both teachers and students. However, the most serious problems facing schools are not going to be solved by quick access to vast amounts of information made easy with computers… Computes are impotent in solving social/emotional problems teachers face: conflict and anger, social inequalities, alienated adolescents, unmotivated students, and unacceptable behaviors.”

What It Means To You
How are computers and technology integrated in to your schools? Are your students learning to judge the source and quality of information gathered through electronic means?

For More Information
Collinson, V. (2001). Intellectual, social, and moral development: Why technology cannot replace teachers. The High School Journal, 85(1), 35–44.

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