A Deleted Scene from “Keeping Up With The Kardashians”: Maybe They’re Misunderstood.
KIM: Oh, my goodness. Can we get everyone in the kitchen, please? I just read a really great article today in The Atlantic, and I wanted to discuss it with you all.
KHLOE: Ugh. It was you who took the newest edition. You know I’ve been waiting for it!
KIM: Sorry, Khlo.
KRIS: Kim, please share what you read today. I’d love to know.
KIM: Essentially, this article explored how technology is taking an increased role in the classroom for kids.
KRIS: Oh, really? Are they reading e-books now instead of textbooks?
KIM: Not just that — they’re doing projects, presentations, watching lectures. Really, everything is becoming virtual. But now the question is: Which device is best, if any?
KOURTNEY: Hey, guys! What’s going on?
KRIS: Hi, Kourtney. Kim was just telling us about an article she read in The Atlantic.
KOURTNEY: Oh, excellent. That sounds scintillating. Could I borrow that issue right after you?
KHLOE: I already called dibs on it!
KOURTNEY: That’s not fair. You’re already hoarding the latest issue of The New Yorker.
KIM: It’s about technology in the classroom. I have some strong opinions for both sides of the argument. But I’d love to hear everyone’s thoughts first.
KRIS: I think it’s a good idea. I mean, with creative apps and more sophisticated presentation capabilities, kids will be able to integrate technological knowledge and apply it to the content they’re learning. I think it’ll better equip them for the professional world.
KIM: I guess so. But I don’t know. I feel like kids should be disciplined in the art of learning before these gadgets bombard them with distractions. As a society, we already have deficient attention spans because of screens. I even fall victim to it myself!
[They all laugh.]
KENDALL: I don’t mean to butt in.
KIM: No, please! I’d love to start a dialogue about this. It’s what our family does!
KENDALL: Call me a traditionalist, but I sort of agree with Kim. I think technology can be great, but I don’t think it needs to be in the classroom — at least not yet.
KHLOE: Why not? It seems ironic, coming from somebody so young like yourself.
KENDALL: Listen. I’m sort of in the generation who largely grew up without technology but then started using it around late middle school/early high school. And I feel like even then was too early.
KOURTNEY: How so?
KENDALL: I think that once the internet and screens became a huge part of our lesson plans in school, people were unable to retain the same amount of knowledge that they could otherwise.
KIM: So you’re against all technology in the classroom?
KENDALL: I’m not strictly against everything. But yes, I think there needs to be a strong base of traditional notebook-and-pen and real-book-reading learning before students make the computer a huge part of it.
KRIS: I don’t think I can agree with that, because we do have to adjust to our time. When I was in school, people made a huge deal out of using calculators because they felt like kids weren’t able to hone arithmetic skills.
KENDALL: I see where you’re coming from, but I think that the computer is making its way into most subjects, you know? These kids are reading everything on e-books. I think the tendency is to skim when you’re reading on a screen.
KIM: You both make really great points. I lean more toward Kendall’s opinion, but this has been a wonderful discussion. I feel like I’ve learned a lot.
KOURTNEY: I think so too.
KHLOE: I’m so glad our family takes time every evening to discuss something important.
KRIS: That’s how I raised you girls.
BRUCE: Did I miss something?
KRIS: You did. We were discussing educational technology.
BRUCE: Really? I have so many thoughts on it though!
KOURTNEY: It’s okay. Let’s talk about healthcare reform tomorrow, guys.
EVERYONE: Yeah!
EDITORS: Yeah, we’re not using any of this.
