Tinkerings

There are really only two kinds of people in the world: Those that “get” technology and those that don’t.

Those that “get” technology see the positive side, the half-full side, of things.  They see the limitless possibilities of creating a social network on Facebook, Twitter, Plurk, LinkedIn, and more.  They are connected to people who can help with lesson plans, interact with students via Skype, offer professional development, and more.

Those that don’t see the glass half empty.  There are too many dangers out there.  They see social networking as a means to avoid real life, take time away from families, and harbor pedophiles and serial killers.  It is a scary place, and they want no part in it.

Those that “get” technology understand that our kids’ brains have fundamentally changed.  Television, music videos, video games, and the multiplied thousands of other distractions have created a generation that no longer thinks in linear realities from point A to point B.  Their brains jump around.  Their lives are now hyperlinked.  This means teachers have to rethink the way lesson plans are created and delivered, the way curriculum is offered, and a host of other things that impact the ability of students to respond positively to schools.

Those that don’t argue that “the way we were taught worked for us, and it will work for these kids.”  They see technology integration as providing one PowerPoint slide as a writing prompt or class starter, and then they go back to the same old same old of the last 25 years.  Is it fundamentally “wrong” to teach this way?  Heavens no!  These are good teachers who are doing a good job.  But how much better would their results be if they taught the way these kids learn?

Those that “get” technology understand that kids already use a ton of technology every day, every minute.  They embrace cell phones in the classroom.  They embrace allowing kids to work collaboratively in social spaces.  They also understand the negative possibilities.  But, instead of simply denying access to these things, they advocate teaching kids to use them responsibly.  What a concept!

Those that don’t want filters everywhere.  Shut down social sites.  Shut down game sites (even educational gaming).  Confiscate cell phones.  Take away every tool kids have readily at their disposal.  Their claim is that the risk for abuse is too great, and teachers shouldn’t have to tackle that responsibility on top of everything else we do.  However, the greatest abuse of teachers on campus is the abuse of the school’s copy machine to make all kinds of personal copies.  Why don’t we shut down the copier?

I think by now you can see which type person I am.  I get it.  I envision textbooks online that are tied to other products like DE Streaming, NetTrekker, and more.  I envision kids able to use text messaging and chat rooms to work through homework assignments and group projects.  I envision kids having their own netbook or notebook or iPod or smart phone to facilitate school work.

Our district has been given stimulus money to increase technology in our classrooms.  Our school alone will be spending between $150,000 and $175,000 on new technologies for every classroom.  That means that both the teachers who “get” it and the teachers who don’t will get the same technology to integrate into their classrooms.  They will have access to the same training and resources.  Finally, every classroom could be on an even playing field, and the biggest difference will be two kinds of teachers.