Of Mice and Middle Years…

One of the most valuable concepts I take from this course is the social “backchannelling” discussions I have had with my classmates in this EC&I 831 course. After Chris Lehmann posted his course information that allowed those with student numbers to access grades from classes, we had some interesting and thought provoking discussions on communication with parents/students/teachers. In the end, I really believe we as educators have a responsibility to keep in touch with parents no matter what the size of class/classes we teach. I remember as an intern at Mount Royal High School in Saskatoon spending my prep and after school calling parents in regards to attendance!
Chris’ example is one answer, especially for those teachers with large and multiple classes to connect to parents, and what better way to move teachers toward moving to new technologies than to begin with this challenge. Improved parent communication/ accountability are resounding issues in our school systems. I believe one lends itself to another.
I also value the new ideas each presenter contributes to my learning journey. I finished reading Chris’ reference to the article entitled Neil Postman: Five Things We Need to Know About Technological Change
Please read! I provided a brief summary below (most of it directly) from the text. I hope it is enough of a teaser to arouse your interest!
Five Things We Need to Know About Technological Change
Idea Number One, …culture always pays a price for technology.
Idea Number Two: …technology favors some people and harms others, these are questions that must always be asked. And so, that there are always winners and losers in technological change.
Idea Number Three: …every technology has a philosophy which is given expression in how the technology makes people use their minds, in what it makes us do with our bodies, in how it codifies the world, in which of our senses it amplifies, in which of our emotional and intellectual tendencies it disregards. This idea is the sum and substance of what the great Catholic prophet, Marshall McLuhan meant when he coined the famous sentence, “The medium is the message.”
Idea Number Four: Technological change is not additive; it is ecological….A new medium does not add something; it changes everything. (think of the first printing press and the ramifications on European society)
Idea Number Five: …technology tends to become mythic; that is, perceived as part of the natural order of things, and therefore tends to control more of our lives than is good for us.
His concluding statement: We need to proceed with our eyes wide open so that we many use technology rather than be used by it.

By the way Rob, many people have influenced much of my thinking in educational technology. Richard Schwier, Seymour Papert and the many professors, colleagues and friends I have met over the years. Indeed, I hope that thinking never remains static.