Technology Recycling for Excellence in Education
Don't Miss the Revolution?
Seems like every time I blog about the changes I see in computing, something new comes along to add grist to the mill. I recently checked out Adobe Buzzword, albeit only briefly, and was once again (1) impressed by the rapidly improving quality of web-based office apps; and (2) convinced even more that we may be in for a revolution in the way we use computers. The question is, are we ready?
In my non-Project TREE life, I deal almost daily with people (mostly teachers) who are trying to come to grips with new technologies and new ways of using technology. I have seen many of them make great strides, overcoming their technophobia and embracing computers in their classrooms and their lives. I worry that, just as we are on the verge of some real breakthroughs in getting Web 2.0 into the classroom, that technology is going to make another one of those quantum leaps for which it is famous. How are we going to keep up ourselves, and how are we going to help those we work with keep up?
This is normally the point in a blog or essay at which the author, having raised one or more questions, proceeds to answer them. While it would be nice to have some easy answers at this point, the truth is I don't. That is because there is no one magic bullet; no one simple solution to the problem. What can help are some basic principles, such as diligently staying abreast of new technologies; carefully evaluating what is useful in the classroom and what is simply the latest fad; developing and implementing effective and relevant professional development in a timely manner; and helping educators see the connections between technology in the classroom and technology in "real life." In other words, keep doing the best of what we've been doing, and keep working to make it better. Sorry I don't have anything more profound than that!
Back to Buzzword, Google Docs, 280Slides, etc. I am rapidly coming to the conclusion that for many users, the days of keeping all your applications and all your data on your personal computer are rapidly coming to an end. Adapting to this change will require more than simply learning to locate some new icons; it will require a change in the way we as educators, as technology facilitators/providers, and as users think about technology. The challenge before us is this: knowing what we know now, do we handle this change as we have all the others, or do we begin now to face it head-on and proactively embrace it, so that this time the education arena is leading the technology charge rather than playing catch-up?
In my non-Project TREE life, I deal almost daily with people (mostly teachers) who are trying to come to grips with new technologies and new ways of using technology. I have seen many of them make great strides, overcoming their technophobia and embracing computers in their classrooms and their lives. I worry that, just as we are on the verge of some real breakthroughs in getting Web 2.0 into the classroom, that technology is going to make another one of those quantum leaps for which it is famous. How are we going to keep up ourselves, and how are we going to help those we work with keep up?
This is normally the point in a blog or essay at which the author, having raised one or more questions, proceeds to answer them. While it would be nice to have some easy answers at this point, the truth is I don't. That is because there is no one magic bullet; no one simple solution to the problem. What can help are some basic principles, such as diligently staying abreast of new technologies; carefully evaluating what is useful in the classroom and what is simply the latest fad; developing and implementing effective and relevant professional development in a timely manner; and helping educators see the connections between technology in the classroom and technology in "real life." In other words, keep doing the best of what we've been doing, and keep working to make it better. Sorry I don't have anything more profound than that!
Back to Buzzword, Google Docs, 280Slides, etc. I am rapidly coming to the conclusion that for many users, the days of keeping all your applications and all your data on your personal computer are rapidly coming to an end. Adapting to this change will require more than simply learning to locate some new icons; it will require a change in the way we as educators, as technology facilitators/providers, and as users think about technology. The challenge before us is this: knowing what we know now, do we handle this change as we have all the others, or do we begin now to face it head-on and proactively embrace it, so that this time the education arena is leading the technology charge rather than playing catch-up?
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