When the internet became a daily reality in the 1990s, learning had already changed instantly. The district I was in hired a bunch of tech people-- good, right? -- but when I realized that these people had their own room where they could monitor the rest of the building, well, not so good. The challenge for educators is instilling curiosity about what is "wholesome" ??? Schools are built upon mission statements and mission statements set out a path. 'educere' in Latin means 'to lead out'. Young people are supposed to follow us. That's the old model. Is it still valid? Or are we supposed to let them lead but put a leash on them? We can let our children turn over rocks, but how do we stop them from turning over the 'wrong' rock? For me, answering this question is the key to education in this information age.
Good questions Ann! I wonder if we thought about childlike curiosity and let that live - could we imagine a different way of being school without walls and rows of desks?
When the internet became a daily reality in the 1990s, learning had already changed instantly. The district I was in hired a bunch of tech people-- good, right? -- but when I realized that these people had their own room where they could monitor the rest of the building, well, not so good. The challenge for educators is instilling curiosity about what is "wholesome" ??? Schools are built upon mission statements and mission statements set out a path. 'educere' in Latin means 'to lead out'. Young people are supposed to follow us. That's the old model. Is it still valid? Or are we supposed to let them lead but put a leash on them? We can let our children turn over rocks, but how do we stop them from turning over the 'wrong' rock? For me, answering this question is the key to education in this information age.
Good questions Ann! I wonder if we thought about childlike curiosity and let that live - could we imagine a different way of being school without walls and rows of desks?