Monday, February 11, 2008
Encyclopedia versus Wikipedia
A fascinating topic that we touched on last Thursday was question: Why take the time to learn tons of "boring" facts throughout our primary and secondary educations when we have the ability to easily look these facts up on our own using the internet? I found this interesting because it is easy to relate to both sides of the matter. I can't even count how many days I sat in a class room during grade school memorizing president’s names, state capitals, and important dates only to be in college some 10 odd years later and not able to remember a lick of it! So, there are many instances in my present day life where I do have to make a quick wikipedia reference to check exactly when the printing press was invented or when Margret Thatcher was appointed Prime Minister. However, as painful learning all of that history was I do agree with what Anne said in class about the importance of being taught history. It's good to have a general idea as to when one event happens in relation to another. I too believe it's important to at the very least acquire a basic knowledge of history, even though it's commonly needed to check and recheck facts when completing everyday academic tasks.
After reflecting on the discussion another question popped into my head: Why does the youth of America tend to be unaware of many important (and what should be commonly known) facts/issues? Not even the youth of America, just turn on Jaywalking on Jay Leno and there are adults who don't know the answers to seemingly simple questions. Obviously, not all of America is ill-informed, but it does make me wonder why so many people don't always know historical dates, where countries are located on a map, or when wars occurred. I'm a sufferer of this epidemic myself, ask me when President George Washington was inaugurated and I will give you a blank stare. However, it does make me wonder what proponents of our culture contribute to this behavior. Is this a backlash of the advancements in technology? Has the fact that we, esp. America's youth, rely so much on the internet as a "quick fix" for educational facts that we have become lazy about learning? It is possible that the great benefits we gain from the technology of the internet could also work against us and our learning habits?
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4 comments:
I think you answered the question. The first thing that popped into my mind was "technology". More specifically, wikipedia. I find myself checking it several times a day. Also, we are learning new information everyday so the older info gets pushed out because we don’t use it. BET had a similar show on where they asked random people questions about history and most people didn’t know at all or only knew bits and pieces. I myself lack a lot of “important” historical facts but how often am I asked to discuss them? It seems to me that they way the US is going knowledge about Web 2.0 will trump knowledge about the founding fathers any day!
I'd have a hard time blaming technology for our "National Ignorance." I think it is more likely that we just don't care enough. Our country is a very young country, and because of that, I think that we do not always feel the same sense of connection to history that others such as Europeans do. Also, we live (within our nation) in a time of relative peace and prosperity. Unfortunately this tends to go hand-in-hand with complacency. Now... how to solve that?
I remember in middle school questioning my teacher of why I have to learn math when I have a calculator. Her response was that I won't always have a calculator on me and most importantly that it exercises one's mind. I feel that this relates to the same situation with having all so much information at our finger tips b/c of the internet.
It's funny how so many of us turn to technology for a "quick fix." I often find myself saying, "I need to Google that later." I don't know if we can necessarily blame technology, though. I think, for one, teaching and learning styles are changing. Simple memorization of facts and dates is becoming less and less important.
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