A core element of living seems to be just keeping up with the times. This is especially apparent in eras of rapid change, such as the one we are in now that was ushered in by the popularization of the computer and the internet in the 1990s. No longer does one have to go to print a manuscript, bring it to a prospective publishing house and hope that they accept it. Now, it's just easier to blog.
In fact, it's so easy that we might need some tips for it from those with experience so that we don't get long in this online haven of seemingly endless possibilities. And that's where teaching comes in. In effect, teachers teach their students for the necessities of life and today's necessities are much different than they were even a generation ago. And even more different if we go further back as one educator notes in this video about "The Future of Learning." No one learns to ride a horse or handle a sword as a necessity anymore, it's only for sport or maybe for a very specific job skill such as an actor really preparing for a demanding movie role. However, the everyperson (not just "everyman" anymore!) will likely never learn to ride a horse or handle a sword, just as the first settled peoples didn't bother too much with hunting and gathering after they figured out how to till the land and farm.
Times change and, as a result, so do we.
The trick for teachers is how can they incorporate their craft into this changing world. The above video also asks the question, "how will the world look in 2061?" For a middle schooler now will likely have to function in that world when it comes around. The key is forward thinking and not just a mere upgrade to "the current level." The world is changing too fast and thus successful people are ones who have learned to learn by themselves. As can be seen from video games, kids can learn very well if they're motivated and video games are quite instructive in children's learning habits: problems in games arise when encountered, thus conveying instant necessity in solving them. A child today will much very likely master a video game, but not even touch a multiplication table. However, this does not mean that said child cannot learn multiplication.
Put in another way, "The absence of the teacher, in presence of the internet, can become a pedagogical tool." The higher order material, such as new concepts can be brought about by the teacher who overall helms the course, however lower order material, such as definitions of words or simple math can all be done very effectively and willingly by the tech savvy students of today. Like a metered poem, the student becomes creative within a structure.
This removal of the teacher from a central authoritative position to a still key, yet background/sideline position from the child's point of view can lead to the new suit of armor we expect kids to don: the "Armor against Doctrine" or a protection from the teachings of the elders or any other name that can be given to adult-centered classroom orientation.
A second, and much shorter video with no dialog showcases in an ironic un-high-tech way (with flash cards) techniques and ideas for a high-tech classroom. This symbol effectively makes the notion of a needed transition apparent. We are all talking about new things, but we're still (kind of) using the old ways to talk about them. So, a new vision of a classroom and a new vision of the student would not be complete without a new vision of the teacher. This, I think, may bring us to the teacher rediscovering his or her inner-student and youthful experience of learning: we're all learning now!
With teachers helming the classroom and also participating, the role of learner and student can mesh in unexpected way. Children will invariably do most of the learning, however with the teacher's role taken off center to a level grounded with the students, the teacher will also learn from the students as he or she will much more closely see the students' experiences.
The video offers a quote: "Who dares to teach must never cease to learn." -John Cotton Dana
In this world, we're all students.
In fact, it's so easy that we might need some tips for it from those with experience so that we don't get long in this online haven of seemingly endless possibilities. And that's where teaching comes in. In effect, teachers teach their students for the necessities of life and today's necessities are much different than they were even a generation ago. And even more different if we go further back as one educator notes in this video about "The Future of Learning." No one learns to ride a horse or handle a sword as a necessity anymore, it's only for sport or maybe for a very specific job skill such as an actor really preparing for a demanding movie role. However, the everyperson (not just "everyman" anymore!) will likely never learn to ride a horse or handle a sword, just as the first settled peoples didn't bother too much with hunting and gathering after they figured out how to till the land and farm.
Times change and, as a result, so do we.
The trick for teachers is how can they incorporate their craft into this changing world. The above video also asks the question, "how will the world look in 2061?" For a middle schooler now will likely have to function in that world when it comes around. The key is forward thinking and not just a mere upgrade to "the current level." The world is changing too fast and thus successful people are ones who have learned to learn by themselves. As can be seen from video games, kids can learn very well if they're motivated and video games are quite instructive in children's learning habits: problems in games arise when encountered, thus conveying instant necessity in solving them. A child today will much very likely master a video game, but not even touch a multiplication table. However, this does not mean that said child cannot learn multiplication.
 |
| Curiosity can be enkindled to its greatest effect: Self-Motivation |
Put in another way, "The absence of the teacher, in presence of the internet, can become a pedagogical tool." The higher order material, such as new concepts can be brought about by the teacher who overall helms the course, however lower order material, such as definitions of words or simple math can all be done very effectively and willingly by the tech savvy students of today. Like a metered poem, the student becomes creative within a structure.
This removal of the teacher from a central authoritative position to a still key, yet background/sideline position from the child's point of view can lead to the new suit of armor we expect kids to don: the "Armor against Doctrine" or a protection from the teachings of the elders or any other name that can be given to adult-centered classroom orientation.
A second, and much shorter video with no dialog showcases in an ironic un-high-tech way (with flash cards) techniques and ideas for a high-tech classroom. This symbol effectively makes the notion of a needed transition apparent. We are all talking about new things, but we're still (kind of) using the old ways to talk about them. So, a new vision of a classroom and a new vision of the student would not be complete without a new vision of the teacher. This, I think, may bring us to the teacher rediscovering his or her inner-student and youthful experience of learning: we're all learning now!
With teachers helming the classroom and also participating, the role of learner and student can mesh in unexpected way. Children will invariably do most of the learning, however with the teacher's role taken off center to a level grounded with the students, the teacher will also learn from the students as he or she will much more closely see the students' experiences.
The video offers a quote: "Who dares to teach must never cease to learn." -John Cotton Dana
In this world, we're all students.
I enjoy reading your posts both because of the content and because of your flair for writing.
ReplyDeleteI liked your statement that "Like a metered poem, the student becomes creative within a structure." I take this to mean that the teacher creates a structure that offers a goal that is sufficiently motivating for the students to want to learn the basic concepts needed for meeting that goal much like learning how to earn experience points or to "level up" in a video game. The new role for the teacher demands a knowledge of good pedagogy as well as how an when to incorporate technology into the mix, doesn't it.
Awesome post! I agree with Dr. Burgos about your content and your flair for writing. Your posts are engaging and very interesting to read. I love your conclusion, especially the final quote:
ReplyDelete"With teachers helming the classroom and also participating, the role of learner and student can mesh in unexpected way. Children will invariably do most of the learning, however with the teacher's role taken off center to a level grounded with the students, the teacher will also learn from the students as he or she will much more closely see the students' experiences.
The video offers a quote: "Who dares to teach must never cease to learn." -John Cotton Dana
In this world, we're all students."
The roles of teacher and student are often blurred and players in the classroom often do switch between the two different roles. The idea of a flipped classroom, which I think is an incredibly useful and beneficial teaching strategy, helps to blur the line between teacher and student, which I think is a really good thing. It is good for students to take on the role of teacher and look at the classroom from a different perspective. It gives them a great sense of pride and ownership that they otherwise not get, and it also gives the teacher new insights and new perspectives.
Michael I really enjoyed this post. I agree with Dr Burgos and Jenny on your flair for writing so it must be true!
ReplyDeleteThe need for education to teach students the matters they'll need to succeed in this world means a dramatic shift in what is being taught. Or at least it should be that way. I'm currently teaching a middle school technology class and one of their greatest needs is to be able to master Microsoft office. Those were just tools that had no impact on my life when I was their age. Yet it really is essential for their academic and post secondary careers.
I also watched the "21st Century Teachers" video and found it to be ironic as well. However, they made a great point of the uses of technology in education and the appeal to embrace the change, not fight it. Thanks again for sharing