The Wonders of Cyberspace

The Wonders of Cyberspace

Cyberspace has been around for as long as I can remember. When I was little I remember all the new technologies coming out and how cyberspace was the next big thing. Cyberspace is also called the World Wide Web or the Internet. It was never really important to me growing up until I got into middle school. I was now required to use this cyberspace to help me research topics that would help me with my homework. At first, I thought it was the coolest thing ever, “Wow! I can actually find all the information I need with just the click of a button. So long books!” Little did I know then that cyberspace would actual start having virtual classrooms where you could take your schooling online.

At first, I thought taking school on the Internet was the sweetest thing ever. No more having to actually go to school and learn something when I can just sit in front of my computer and have all the information I need right there in front of me on this cyberspace.

After reading Neil Postman’s essay “Virtual Students, Digital Classroom” I came to realize that maybe schooling on the Internet is not one of the best things to do. I mean, it is an awesome and all, but it takes away from what you should learn in a real classroom and it also takes away from the interaction with other people that shape the kind of person you are.

In this essay, Postman makes a few really good points about having digital learning and virtual students. “Little Eva can’t sleep, so she decides to learn a little algebra? Where does Little Eva come from? Mars?” (pg. 437) Would a normal child actually do this? I really do not think so. I think that the thought of being able to actually do schooling through the Internet is cool, but seriously, what average student would want to do school if they were not really forced to like they would in a regular school.