Monkey scribbles …

American critic and educator, Neil Postman (1931-2003), provides a thought-provoking attack on television and what it does to us in his book Amusing Ourselves to Death. His main theme under discussion refers to the decline of the printed word and the ascendancy of the “tube” with its tendency to present everything from news to entertainment. First written in 1985, Amusing Ourselves to Death, provided a landmark in the way that Postman considered the way in which electronic media was shaping and would shape our culture. With the advent and major changes in technology today, Postman’s references carry even more significance. 

Postman makes the point that technologies do not add to society but transform it. Wright (2009) states that “It is therefore naive for us to think that modern electronic technologies are merely additives to society. In schools they are changing practice but in the broader sense they are changing the way learners make sense of their world”. Wright (2009) continues by identifying that text messaging, social networking sites, email and blogs have and “… are making major changes to the way we connect, and in particular the way school age students do”. As educators, we need to consider effective ways for using technology. We need to set examples of good practice and encourage learners to engage at higher and deeper levels of thinking and discussion. As Wright (2009) points out, our discussions with learners should consider “… just how technology is changing their world”.

A though provoking read and well worth hunting down in the library, book shop, or even using technology to find it online!

Reference

Postman, N. (1985). Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business. Penguin: USA.

Wright, T. (2009). SHORE reports: from the Headmaster. 

O’Keefe states that “if you find yourself increasingly puzzled or frustrated with Generation Y, you might be interested in what Michael McQueen has to say”. Generation Y’s approach to the world can be closely aligned with the idea of fast food. As McQueen states “They want everything to be fast and if it’s not quick or instantaneous, the message that’s been given to them by places like McDonald’s is that it’s their right to complain or seek an alternative”. At the Australian Secondary Principals Association (ASPA) conference, McQueen discussed the key challenges that this generation poses for schools and teachers, and outlines strategies for educators.

Douchy’s Weblog discusses some pertinent issues related to McQueen’s new book The ‘New’ Rules of Engagement. Douchy considers in particular the concepts of RESPECT and COMMUNICATION and makes four predictions from his own reading and reflections. Finally, he states: “Am I building communication channels, or dams?” A worthwhile read is the recommendation by Douchy for all educators of McQueen’s new book.

McQueen highlights the challenges of TRUTH, RESPECT, COMMUNICATION, PATIENCE, and LEARNING within this generation of students. He challenges educators to consider “… do they focus students on complying which is all about saying they should, or do they get them to commit to something and give them a reason why?”

As educators, we are left to consider the importance of showing students the relevance of what they are learning – and – what we teach students must connect with the real world and with everything else that they know. 

Fingal (2008) refers to “the challenge with education technology is not in finding a nifty tool that will engage students in the classroom” … rather … “it is finding a way to integrate that virtual gadget into the curriculum in a way that both engages students and broadens the learning experience”.

An interesting tool that educators are starting to use in the learning process is Wordle, a tool that creates a “word cloud” by analysing usage and frequency of words. The more times that a particular word appears in the text or list, the larger it will be in the Wordle. Sprankle and Wright have used Wordle in different aspects of their teaching with students, each commenting in  their respective blogs about the work tasks completed. 

What do you think this tool might highlight about your own teaching and learning practices, in particular your usage and emphasis on certain words or phrases?

Reference

Fingal, D. (November 2008). Tools that Create Buzz. Learning & Leading with Technology. 36,(3), 23.