What If . . .

1
What If . . .
2
Students today cant prepare bark to calculate
their problems. They depend on their slates which
are more expensive. What will they do when the
slate is dropped and it breaks? They will be
unable to write!
3
Teachers Conference
1703
4
Students today depend on paper too much. They
dont know how to write on a slate without
getting chalk dust all over themselves. They
cant clean a slate properly. What will they do
when they run out of paper?
5
Principals Association
1815
6
Students today depend too much upon ink. They
dont know how to use a pen knife to sharpen a
pencil. Pen and ink will never replace the pencil.
7
National Association of Teachers
1907
8
Students today depend upon store bought ink. They
dont know how to make their own. When they run
out of ink they will be unable to write words or
ciphers until their next trip to the settlement.
This is a sad commentary on modern education.
9
The Rural American Teacher
1928
10
Students today depend on these expensive fountain
pens. They can no longer write with a straight
pen and nib. 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.
11
PTA Gazette
1941
12
Ballpoint pens will be the ruin of education in
our country. Students use these devices and then
throw them away. The American values of thrift
and frugality are being discarded. Business and
banks will never allow such expensive luxuries.
13
Federal Teachers
1950
14
You cant use those calculators on the test. If I
let you do that, you wouldnt ever learn how to
use the tables in the back of the book and use
interpolation to figure out your trig ratios.
15
High School Math Teacher
1980
16
We cant let them use calculators in middle
school. If we do, theyll forget how to do long
division or how to multiply three digit numbers
by three digit numbers. What will they do when
they dont have access to a calculator?
17
Middle School Math Teacher
1989
18
Why are you writing a grant for a classroom set
of graphing calculators? Well never be allowed
to use them and even if we can thats only
one class, and parents in other classes will
never buy them for their students.
19
High School Math Teacher
1993
20
Why would you ever want the Internet for student
use? Its just the latest fad have them use the
library.
21
District Employee
1995
22
You dont need a web page for AHS. Whos ever
going to look at it?
23
District Employee
1995
24
Teachers will never use email.
25
Teacher on a District Committee
1996
26
Why do you want network drops at every teachers
desk? Youre not thinking of getting a computer
for all of them are you?
27
Building Administrator
1999
28
What can you do with an LCD Projector that you
cant do with an overhead projector?
29
Member of School Accountability Committee
1999
30
Why are we talking about students having laptops
in high school? I dont think most parents will
even give their kids their old computer, much
less buy them a new one.
31
Member of Laptop Committee
2000
32
Why would I want to put my grades on the web?
Whos going to look at them?
33
Teacher
2001
34
I dont think well have a wireless network at
AHS anytime soon.
35
Me
Spring 2005
36
Turn off and put away all Cell Phones, iPods, and
Electronic Devices during class!
37
Signs around AHS
Fall 2006
38
What If . . .
Wed listened?