Over the past 300 years, teachers and administrators have consistently expressed concern that new technologies will make students dependent and unable to cope without them. Early criticisms focused on slates, paper, ink and pens. Later concerns involved fountain pens, ballpoint pens and handheld calculators. While technologies changed over time, the underlying worry about student dependence on the latest tools remained the same. The document suggests this pattern will likely continue with future changes.

1. Technology and Education

2. "Students today can’t 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, 1703http://www.flickr.com/photos/cactus_pearl/2950676805/

3. "Students today depend upon paper too much. They don’t know how to write on slate without getting chalk dust all over themselves. They can’t clean a slate properly. What will they do when they run out of paper?" -Principal’s Association, 1815http://www.flickr.com/photos/wheatfields/301181460/

4. "Students depend too much on ink. They don’t know how to use a pen knife to sharpen a pencil. Pen and ink will never replace the pencil.-- National Association of Teachers, 1907http://www.flickr.com/photos/orangeacid/204163563/

5. "Students today depend upon store bought ink. They don’t 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, 1929http://www.flickr.com/photos/catepol/771843751/

6. http://www.flickr.com/photos/syume/2396854374/"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, 1950http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcmanusc/4037156867/sizes/m/

8. "Students today depend too much on hand-held calculators." -Anonymous, 1985http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcmanusc/4037907006/sizes/s/

9. Today we still use pens, pencils and calculators. Now we have computers which make our lives even easier and I’m sure that no matter what changes happen in the future someone will complain about it. http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcmanusc/4037906934/sizes/s/