Humanist Discussion Group, Vol. 14, No. 533.
Centre for Computing in the Humanities, King's College London
<http://www.princeton.edu/~mccarty/humanist/>
<http://www.kcl.ac.uk/humanities/cch/humanist/>
Date: Fri, 01 Dec 2000 07:05:05 +0000
From: Arun-Kumar Tripathi <tripathi@statistik.uni-dortmund.de>
Subject: Thoughts by Professor Al Beck on Learning, Computers &
its Relationship
Dear Dr. Willard McCarty,
Hi, wishing you well and happy advent days..here is an important call from
Al Beck, Associate Professor of Art, Retired Culver-Stockton College..on
the negative impact of computers in the learning exprience..thought might
interest you and other Humanist scholars..as he goes.."I write in support
of Edward Miller and his concerns about the negative impact of computers
in the learning exprience. We have reached the end of a microphase in
human development. And to progress, to evolve any further, we must
challenge the newly established technological shibboleths of contemporary
traditional education. Previously the imaginative teacher confronted the
angry animals of rational thinking: tests, grades, the lecture-drone, the
present K-through-12 structure, ad infini-doldrum. The time is overdue to
reexamine the learning exprience, its classroom connection, personal
accountability, social responsibility, creativity and curiosity. It is
time also to balance the rituals of rote information-gathering with
imaginative nourishment, meditation and celebration. The computer has come
along in human history --similar in style if not speed to its predecessors
--at a time whe the worship of decal learning has all but erased human
internal challenges. It will always be true that sacred cows produce
superfluous milk...."
And he further recommends a book by Dr. Elaine De Beauport, "THE Three
Faces of Mind: Developing your Mental, Emotional and Behavioral
Intelligences." To me, the book sounds good and an impressive one.
From the book: "..The deepest brain is about the earth. It is about
stability and security. It is about acceptance of life as it presents
itself. It is about life and about preservation and creation, not in
finished form, but in continuum. We are in the continuum. Life, or basic
wave-motion energy, goes on without us and also with us as we emerge into
existence.." The book also expressed, "Learning and Behaviour as
Repetitive Wave Motion."
I hope, you would like and enjoy the thoughts/ideas of Prof. Al Beck.
Thanking you..
Kindest Regards
Arun Tripathi
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : 12/01/00 EST