Sunday, February 13, 2011

Blog Post 4


Don’t teach your kids this stuff, Please? is a commentary on the outdated thoughts of technology, especially in regards to its place in the classroom. While most fields have come to embrace technology, and the benefits it brings to any given profession, teachers continue to view technology as an “interference” in their classroom. This outdated view is precisely what is wrong with the future of the education system; in order to prepare our children for the world of tomorrow, technology has to become a major part of the curriculum.

Another interesting aspect that this post touches on is the human innate human fear of technology. This common fear demonstrates how some people believe technology will eventually “takeover” our lives, and, if we do not preserve the old pen and paper methods, our children won’t be able to think for themselves. This preposterous idea read like the most popular of science-fiction novels; however, it is true that technology can lead to a disconnect or loss of individuality. These extreme fears are simply the fear of progress that occurs naturally among human beings. Progress is inevitable; the sooner people come to accept it, the better off our futures will be.



The iSchool Initiative is an inspirational look at how technology could change schooling forever. This video, made in 2009, shows how an iPod touch could be used in the classroom to better streamline the public schooling process; with the innovative platform and apps that were already developed for the iPod, iSchool-ing could become a way to increase the quality and productivity of education, as well as helping to adapt t the growing number of budget cuts.

Thanks to the revived interest in the tablet, companies are now developing systems and applications that make this revolution even more feasible. The iPad has taken the concept of replacement for textbooks, chalkboard, and other outdated methods to a whole new level. This reimagining of an outdated idea might just be one of the first steps in the technological revolution for public schools.


The Lost Generation is a clever video used to present two very different futures. The use of Gertrude Stein’s moniker “Lost Generation” as a means of expressing discontent with the direction of American Society is quite poetic; the ides of negative development expressed here are the in the same vein as Pound, Hemmingway, and Elliot who saw their future American as world they did not ascribe.

The clever use of language is fitting giving the library context; by simply reversing the order, it demonstrates the delicate nature of future events. It is imperative that we understand both outcomes presented in the video in order to have an affect on the outcome.


Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir is a great example of how technology can bring people together to better accomplish a common goal. The 12 countries that are represented, and the seamless quality of the performance, demonstrate the power of technology.

The other interesting aspect of this video is its affirmation of how technology can spark creativity. This group could have never assembled without the aide of technology. The ability to enhance creativity through technology is something we must continue to explore and employ.


Teaching In the 21st Century, much like iSchool, is evidence of the obsolete nature of the traditional school methods. The idea that students can access any information at anytime, and that teachers are only a medium through which this mass amount of information is filtered, speaks volumes. With the rapid change in technology, teachers need to understand this change in the teaching landscape, and become a guide rather than a lecturer.

2 comments:

  1. You're right. Fear is only natural and understandable. It's hard to picture a world where pen and paper are no longer used. However, technology won't take over people's lives unless they allow it to. Technology is an important part of our daily lives and becoming more important by the second. Maybe people will learn to not fear this change.

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  2. Hey Barry,

    I really enjoyed your section on the "Don't teach your kids this stuff, Please?". I think that you really made a good point when you say that technology can lead to some disconnection as an individual. But, I think that we as teachers can help flex the technology into something that can be extremely useful to our students.

    Many of you classmates seem to think that the iSchool really is not a good idea because of the cost. I know that the way the gentleman introduced the produce, it would save the students lots of money. But, your classmates seem to think that the parents would be the ones to pay for the iPod touch. They argue that most of the parents would not be happy about that. I am interested to know what you think about that?

    I enjoyed your post Barry,

    Keep up the good work,

    Stephen Akins

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