After last Tuesday's class, I couldn't help but think that the technologies displayed were archaic. Never in my career have I seen or though of any of the methods demonstrated. For a few days, I felt somehow superior in my technological existence. I can't imagine how much work it would have been to produce materials for teaching prior to the age of the Internet.
Then I started to wonder if someday I would be demonstrating how I used the Internet and developed lessons via cutting, pasting, and borrowing materials from others. Maybe the things I do will seem archaic.
The more I thought about it, the more I sincerely hope my methods will seem primitive. I suppose it will simply be an indication of progress. What is slightly intimidating is the pace at which technology is changing education. It really places responsibility on the teacher to stay current and not allow the technology train to get away.
An interesting analogy would be pop - culture. It seems like those who are relatively young are much more likely to be versed in the lives of the stars, the newest music, and the newest movies. at a point, however, people seem to disengage finding keeping up to be both disinteresting and exhausting. As teachers, we must avoid disengaging from the rapid pace of technological change in order to remain effective and continue to improve.
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It's a tough challenge, for sure, and I think you're correct in thinking that much of this will be archaic. Unfortunately, some of the bad things about education have passed the test of time.
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see how quickly things change, and what will remain in even 5 years from now.
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ReplyDeleteWe too will be "old toasters" one day. I will do my best to keep you "young and hip" so that we don't jump off the pop culture train a few decades too early like our parents. Maybe that will make us into "old people" who try too hard?
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