The document traces complaints about technology in education over three centuries, from the 1700s to present day. Early educators expressed concerns that students had become too reliant on slates, paper, ink, and store-bought ink. In the 1900s, concerns shifted to reliance on pens, fountain pens, and ballpoint pens. In 1985, the complaint was about dependence on handheld calculators. The document concludes that while tools have changed from pens to computers, critics will always find new technologies in education to disapprove of.

1. Technology and Education http:// www.flickr.com/photos/oldtasty/43014431

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, 1703 http://www.flickr.com/photos/waldoj/140487807/

3. http://www.flickr.com/photos/kbritton/ "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, 1815

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, 1907 http://www.flickr.com/photos/postbear/3890431165/

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, 1929 http://www.flickr.com/photos/ttstam/3659973089/

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 http://www.flickr.com/photos/mbgrigby/2833977744/

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 http://www.flickr.com/photos/superfem/826628974/

8. "Students today depend too much on hand-held calculators." -Anonymous, 1985 http://www.flickr.com/photos/kbritton/4041193680/

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/kbritton/4041193500/