In the preface of the Blogs, Wikis and Podcasts book, the author stated some feelings that I share about the explosion of technology. He states in one way or another, we, as teachers need to experience and learn how to use the net to further learning before we can show students how to do so. How else can we use these new technologies effectively, unless we do that?
The problem that I have with technology and the internet is too many people are broadcasting and not enough are receiving. This new day and age has everyone “needing” a cell phone. For what? Some means to justify their importance. Are peoples’ schedules really that busy that they need to talk on their cell phone while driving? Thank God, texting is now illegal while driving! I must sound like some old codger, who says back in my day we walked back and forth to school “up hill” both ways. Yet it seems to me, too many people are talking and not enough are listening. I have a saying that I tell students who can’t go through a class without talking at inappropriate times, which is, “If you believe in evolution, the creatures with two mouths and one ear died out, what does that tell you about talking and listening? And if you believe in creationism, the Good Lord created people with 2 ears and 1 mouth... it's the world's simplest math problem - figure it out!” As far as assigning every student to blog about class, I can’t see finding the time to check all of their blogs for substance or meaningful content. I can see where it could be useful if they would blog about something they don’t understand and then a fellow student could reply and clarify their misunderstanding. I do believe in sharing web sites for them to gain more understanding, guidance and showing them where it is applied. Instead of trashing each other or sharing personal information on “Facebook”, I need to show them where the new technologies can help them grow and become more productive. I liken these feelings to those some of the creators of the printing press and television must have had. Which is, these new mediums of communication should be primarily educational, but some will use it to “fleece the masses”.
From this point forward, I will try my darndest to not sound negative (call it a new year's resolution)! Don't get me wrong, I do see a great deal of what the new technologies could become. It is undoubtedly the greatest challenge presented to me. That is, to show my students ways to use these new technologies positively.
Bill - I do agree with students having a difficult time receiving/listening because they are so used to sharing EVERYTHING due to the evolution of the Internet & Web 2.0. We had to actually talk and listen and have a conversation when sharing information but now they don't have to...they just have to go to a computer or their cell phone & update their status or send out a text to share how they are feeling or what they are doing. I think there is a great deal of value in modeling to your students a positive and educational application for the tools that we are talking about in class. I agree 100% with your statement "I do believe in sharing web sites for them to gain more understanding, guidance and showing them where it is applied." I think that should be every teacher's goal! :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Bill. I don't think it's necessary for everyone to be connected to a cell phone or an ap every second of the day. The art of conversation is going to slowly die, as everyone is tweeting instead of talking. But unfortunately the kids today are growing up differently than we grew up. They are used to getting (and giving) information NOW, and they demand it NOW. If they have to wait 30 seconds for it, it was too long. I think what we have to do is to teach our kids not only how to use the Internet intelligently, how to find the knowledge that they need quickly, but how to create the knowledge that someone else might want just as quickly. By the way, I love the evolution thing!
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