The document summarizes concerns from teachers and administrators over several centuries about students' dependence on new technologies for writing and calculation. In the 1700s, concerns were about slates and paper. In the 1800s-early 1900s, the focus was on pen and ink vs pencils. Later comments criticized the dependence on store-bought ink, fountain pens, ballpoint pens, and handheld calculators. Each new technology was seen as a threat to traditional skills. However, the concluding statement notes that new technologies like computers will continue to be adopted despite inevitable complaints about changes to education.
2. "Students today cant prepare bark to calculate their problems. They depend upon their slates which are more expensive. What will they do when their slate is dropped and it breaks? They will be unable to write. -Teachers Conference,1703
3. "Students today depend upon paper too much. They dont know how to write on slate without getting chalk dust all over themselves. They cant clean a slate properly. What will they do when they run out of paper?" -Principals Association, 1815
4. "Students depend too much on ink. They dont know how to use a pen knife to sharpen a pencil. Pen and ink will never replace the pencil." -National Association of Teachers, 1907
5. "Students today depend upon store bought ink. They dont know how to make their own. When they run out they will be unable to write words or ciphers until their next trip to the settlement. This is a sad commentary on modern education. -The Rural Teacher, 1929
6. "Students today depend upon these expensive fountain pins. They can no longer write with a straight pen and nib (not to mention sharpening their own quills). We parents must not allow them to wallow in such luxury to the detriment of learning how to cope in the real business world, which is not so extravagant." -PTA Gazette, 1941
7. "Ball point pens will be the ruin of education in our country. Students use these devices and then throw them away. The virtues of thrift and frugality are being discarded. Business and banks will never allow such expensive luxuries." -The Federal Teacher, 1950
9. Today we still use pens, pencils and calculators. Now we have computers which make our lives even easier and Im sure that no matter what changes happen in the future someone will complain about it.