[B-Greek] Tools and Learning
Jeffrey T. Requadt
jeffreyrequadt_list at hotmail.com
Sun Feb 3 11:43:29 EST 2008
I totally agree. Personally, I have used mostly Logos, partly because I bought it, and partly because when I tried to use BibleWorks a few times, it was hard for me to configure it the way I wanted to, and to look at a whole passage the way I wanted to. Regardless, it's important to realize that using some kind of Bible software (or any other software for classical languages) should not change the way you would study the language! It just makes it easier and quicker. When I was a TA for my professor in college, I did a seminar a few times for the freshmen on Bible study tools, and the point I tried to make was that they needed to know how to use these tools whether they were in print or on PC--and there are wonderful tools for PC. I think that people start getting away from this, and into an "I can use a computer, so why learn the language?" attitude because they forget that all this literature was written by an author, with a purpose, in order that it might be read by other people. Language, including all forms of classical and biblical Greek, was never some computer-created system of organizing thought. It is a form of communication between minds, and usually one that starts out verbally and becomes written at that. Computers are incredibly useful, and I could never have done the quality and amount of research in college that I did if I had not used mine all the time; however, I never would have thought that using a computer would somehow make my research "correct." That would completely depend on me. Going back to the calculator, it's like kids who think that using the calculator makes their answer correct... and then push all the wrong buttons and get 92 - 10 = 102, and have no clue why that would be wrong (or even that it is wrong!).
Okay, I'm done with my little soapbox now.
Jeffrey T. Requadt
-----Original Message-----
From: b-greek-bounces at lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:b-greek-bounces at lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Barry
Sent: Sunday, February 03, 2008 6:20 AM
To: blist greek
Subject: [B-Greek] Tools and Learning
I am glad we are so wholeheartedly in agreement: any tool works best when
used from a matrix of true learning. Sometime ago I remember having a
discussion with someone who argued vehemently that even a reading knowledge
of the languages was superfluous with all the technology at our disposal.
It's just a more sophisticated version of people who think they have
understood a text from the original when all they have done is checked a
concordance and referenced an interlinear. It's just not the same, and more
often than not simply results in error. It reminds me of the University of
Pennsylvania professor (Dennis LeTurk) who argues that teaching fractions is
no longer necessary in the age of calculators and computers. He's right --
if we wish to raise a generation of the "math challenged." Remember when
the Pentium was first released, and the more math savvy realized that it was
making mistakes in calculations above a certain number? It works in
practically any field: if the person attempting to use the tools does so
from the context of really having learned at least the basics, the tools may
be used much more effectively.
[/rantmode]
N.E. Barry Hofstetter
Professor, WRTS
http://www.wittenbergreformed.org
Classics Instructor, TAA
http://www.theamericanacademy.net
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