Change, however it comes, is difficult. Everyone’s learning curve is different and when it comes to technology, those differences can be further intensified, almost like discussing politics or religion with those not of your persuasion. Techies are suspicious of non-converts, quick to label them technology phobic or, worse, luddites; non-converts are suspicious of techies, sometimes wary that the computer is insidious.
Perhaps, I have a foot in both camps. I am certainly not a digital native, but I
have been an enthusiastic participant in the computer age. I worked for a year
at a start-up where I devoted myself to learning as much as I could about the
available teaching resources the computer had to offer.
I have never been reluctant to try new things on the computer and there is no doubt in my mind
that using a computer efficiently is part of being educated in this day and
age. However, I always have been and I remain a healthy skeptic, not
afraid to say, “So what?”
Really well written and interesting (and entertaining!) post.
ReplyDeleteSo what? So….why? So….when? So…how? Those are the questions that usually pop in my mind when someone shows me a tech thing. But the truth is, there is a lot of good stuff out there. And we have so much information and so many cool things to use.
We just have to make sure we use technology, as with all things, for good and not for evil. One thing I have noticed since this 1:1 revolution at ASP----these kids have a ridiculous amount of work. Do teachers think that just because the assignment involves technology that their students will think its so fun that will just want to do more and more work. I think we all need to calm down a bit and require off time…for all of us.