The document traces concerns over changing educational technologies from 1703 to 1985. Early educators worried about students' dependence on slates, paper, ink, and store-bought pencils. Later concerns included fountain pens, ballpoint pens, and handheld calculators. Each new technology was seen as threatening traditional skills. However, the document notes that technologies like pens, pencils and calculators are still used today, and computers have further eased tasks while still prompting new worries over students' dependence.