To Tech As Jesus Did

No, I’m not talking about swordplay.  I’ve been thinking often recently about two contradictory forces that are affecting our decisions in the world of technology.

FORCE 1:  Expansion

The principle of web 2.0 is open communication.  It is hoped that these tools can help move us and our students from passive consumers to active participants and content producers.  The insular world of the office or classroom is passing and giving way to open models of digital communication.

As teachers we want to engage students in this brave new world.  A class is not limited to rooms of desks for five hours a week.  More than any time in history, education is available any time and any place.  I’m hearing exciting examples here and elsewhere of teachers conducting on-line discussions, encouraging student blogging, and even having students use tools like Twitter and instant messaging.  Some of these efforts are amazing.  Some are poorly devised and unsuccessful.  But all of them are important steps in expanding the definition and realities of education.

FORCE 2:  PROTECTION

Just as we have never had so many tools for communicating with students, we have never been as concerned with safety and liability.  The actions of the irresponsible and reprehensible have made schools and teachers rightly obsessed with safety and liability.  This force takes several forms including sheltering students from age inappropriate materials and giving them tools to avoid cyber-bullying.  However, it also relates to communication in social media.  When I hear about exciting examples of teachers using these tools, my teacher enthusiasm is always tempered by my administrator sense that this is a potential liability for the teacher and the school.

I’m not sure what the answer is to this.  I know that we can build some of these tools into our own servers so we will have greater oversight and teachers and students more protection.  But I’m not completely sure whether we do students good or harm by building up walled gardens when they will be spending their lives in a wilderness.

A student learning how to drive a car may spend a very short time working on a training course, but as soon as the basics are mastered, the student has to navigate city streets and freeways.  The reason for this is not that we want to put students at risk, but because there is no point in navigating a protected course…it’s not where they are going to drive.  Similarly, while we need to teach students skills and safety before they go out on the digital highway, this is going to be where they drive….uh, surf.

I welcome your comments.

Posted in Reflections | | 3 Comments »