To absorb information is not enough. The world could be run by computers if all that were needed were raw data. To be able to make sense out of information, to be able to analyze, to be able to process information and maybe come out with a new conclusion, this is the true value of education … People, like Dvorak, are presuming that technology can be thrown at the problem of education and will automatically provide better results. This is far from the case.
Predictor: Gellis, Cathy
Prediction, in context:In a 1995 essay, Cathy Gellis quotes John Dvorak from his book “Dvorak Predicts” and takes issue with his remarks. Gellis writes:”He made one comment which I found particularly troublesome: ‘Papers composed of cut-and-paste excerpts from online services and CD-ROMs are the future of education. None of this should be considered plagiarism, either.’ Dvorak thinks that the exercise of learning ends with the collection of information … To absorb information is not enough. The world could be run by computers if all that were needed were raw data. To be able to make sense out of information, to be able to analyze, to be able to process information and maybe come out with a new conclusion, this is the true value of education … People, like Dvorak, are presuming that technology can be thrown at the problem of education and will automatically provide better results. This is far from the case.”
Date of prediction: January 1, 1994
Topic of prediction: Getting, Sharing Information
Subtopic: E-learning
Name of publication: Personal Essay, Berkeley
Title, headline, chapter name: Distance-Learning Essay #3
Quote Type: Paraphrase
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http://www.csua.berkeley.edu/~cathyg/infotech_writing/dlearn03.html
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Cooley, Theresa M.