AOW #10- "A Silicon Valley School That Doesn't Compute"

"A Silicon Valley School That Doesn't Compute"
by Matt Richtel for The New York Times (Oct. 22, 2011)

This is a credible source because it was featured in the New York Times, which is a widespread well-known news source.

This article is about a chain of schools that refuse to use technology. The parents of most of the students who attend the schools work for high-tech companies such as Apple and Google. The organization believes that technology is distracting and unproductive, opposed to the popular belief that it greatly assists in the educational process. The schools use alternative techniques such as knitting and the old-school pen and paper to teach the students. The Waldorf chain of technology-less schools is spreading across the country.

The context of this piece is in a nation that is highly reliant on technology and incorporates technology greatly into schools and education. It is written in a time where most people own and frequently use computers and other technology.

The purpose of this article is to inform readers about an alternative type of learning and that not everyone needs to rely on technology. It proves that technology is not completely taking over our country.

The audience for whom this article was written is anyone interested in technology, especially its place in education. It also targets schools who are so hung up on having the most current and popular technology, to show them that it is not necessary.

Rhetorical elements in this piece include:

• appeal to logos- The article has many facts about the graduation rates and statistics regarding the students who attend these schools. It greatly adds to the argument that these schools are successful and a good idea.
• visuals- There is a slideshow of pictures linked to the article. It shows the schools and what the classrooms and students look like. This enhances the article because it allows the reader to perfectly imagine what these schools are like.

I think that the author accomplished their purpose because this article made me think about alternative learning and that we do not need to be so dependent on technology, especially in our schools.