Reflections

Let me preface this by saying that I was raised in the twentieth century. Not the 1980’s part of the twentieth century, which is when I was born, but somewhere more like the 1930’s. I was raised on a farm. I was raised by my grandparents. I was raised on typewriters, sewing machines, and black and white television. There is still not a computer in my grandparent's home, and I only got one of my own when I was about twenty. Truthfully, I’ve always been rather smug about it. I read books on //paper//, I write in a journal with a //pen//, I DIY almost everything. Sure, I sometimes look up sewing patterns on Google. Yeah, it’s a lot easier to fix a fancy meal if I check out a Youtube video first. And ok, I look up a lot of information on Wikipedia. Oh, and it is nice to watch TV on Hulu…

Fine. I think I might have joined the 21st century accidentally. I mean, there is a lot to be said for technology. Give me 15 minutes and an internet connection, and I can tell you things it would have taken me four hours in the library stacks to come up with. As a teacher, it’s that knowledge that I’m trying to impart. I want kids to know things, and use that knowledge. It’s not any less valid coming from a computer. In fact, it sort of makes more sense when you can see it on a video, or interact with it on a flow chart. When I wrote that video about moving from a small town to the big city, I felt like I could really see the broader picture of my life, and my interactions with my neighborhood in a way that just isn’t possible without pictures, music, and storyline.

In becoming a teacher, I feel like I have become the ultimate student. Yes, I worry that too much technology will lead us away from things I have always found fulfilling--all the handmade, hand learned things I grew up with--but I’m also realizing that we can all do those things, perhaps even better, with the use of technology. When writing future units I will probably include less technology, as the unit on this website just had to be tech heavy for my Education Technology class. But as I’ve said, the biggest concern of a teacher is how to impart knowledge in a useful and engaging way. If I find so much help and interest in the internet, why shouldn’t my students? Technology does not just mean mindless games or useless entertainment; it can also mean the evolution of learning. All the ideas we’ve wanted to implement but didn’t know how, and everything we’ve wondered about but couldn‘t find out? All of that can be found now. There is no excuse for not doing something and there is every opportunity //to// do something.

I don’t intend to use technology because I’m afraid I won’t be able to keep the attention of the 21st century student any other way. I intend to use technology because I want my students to realize this. Education, information, unheard of chances for exploration are at our fingertips, and I want my students to take advantage of all of it.*

*And hopefully still read books on paper.**

**Of course, after they read reviews of said books on Amazon.