Technology. Whether you love it or you hate it, it’s here to stay.
Technology has taken our education system by storm, singlehandedly playing a huge part in getting kids interested in learning, exploring and discovering. Students devour websites with ease and excitement – they did, after all, grow up with the Internet . . . meanwhile older foggies (um, I mean people who are more “experienced”) like me began learning about MS Excel later in life. (By the way, this is when all the kids I teach burst out laughing and call me old.)
PHOTO BY ROB VAN KRUISTUM (THE YORK SCHOOL)
The beauty of it is, not only is technology awesome for the environment, but it’s a great tool to connect with. For example, I can’t think of another time where students could sit back and enjoy a TED Talk that features an actual professional pianist talking about the trials and tribulations (near death) of remaining feverishly committed to her craft, despite doctor’s warnings. Nor can I think of anything cooler than actual scientists, physicians, world explorers, computer programmers and the list goes on and on, whom are able to, with the mere click of a few buttons, come into a classroom and transform the lives of students.
The Internet has absolutely revolutionized our ability to find anything we need at anytime, and has changed the face of research assignments forever. Many teachers are also seeing the benefit of including the Internet and social media into their daily lesson plans, activities and projects. The fact is that students need to know how to use this (and put it into application) so we aren’t doing them any favours in keeping it from them.
People are now able to communicate with friends, family, share photos and blog postings, and to connect with people on the other side of the world — instantly!
When my students realized that I was not, as of yet, a Smartboard wiz, they couldn’t believe it, seeing as how they reported to have been using it since Grade 4.
Mind you, we also can’t ignore the negative effects of the Internet. As wonderful as social media is, let’s not forget that we are no longer allowing our eyes to read ink, but instead, we are now reading light. I’m no doctor, but I have to wonder what the effects will be to our eyes in the next decade.
Also, with global access to people of great minds and great messages, we are also opening ourselves up to people of unsound mind, who may wish to hurt children and more. Parents and guardians often think that by locking the main house door they are keeping intruders out. Maybe so. But don’t forget about those intruders whom, with some basic computer savvy, can very easily find your children.
Computers and the Internet are great. They can, do and should serve as incredible tools to further education and on a larger scale, civilization. We just need to be mindful that with the good, we are not also letting in the very dangerous.
