Suit Yourself - Paul's customizable world
Sunday, July 11, 2010 at 05:33PM
As a good grandfather, I try to be a source of information and wisdom to my grandsons. (See The Grandpa Assignment.) This weekend I showed Paul the world's largest (and possibly oldest) popcorn ball, above. I taught him about the joys of swimming in abandoned gravel pits, below. We explored some Indian mounds, stage coach roads and really old comic books down in my hometown in Iowa. All good.
But I believe I learn more about the world from Paul than he does from me.
This trip I showed Paul the Maps app on the iPad and how as we drove, he could track our progress via the little blue dot. Paul quickly discovered how to change the scale of the map just to suit him. He figured out how to switch to GoogleEarth for photographic point of view. Next trip I'll show him AroundMe so he can track down the nearest DQ.
Grandpa as a boy was lucky to have a road map - one map, one scale, one function. Nothing customizable about it. That didn't prevent me from developing map reading skills and a love of maps themselves. But it was pretty much "my way or the highway" when it came to maps.
Paul has grown up with lots of customizable information and entertainment sources. A couple years ago he got mad because the TV remote in the hotel we were staying wouldn't allow the program to be rewound, fast-forwarded or paused. Paul expects DVR-like TV customizability including time-shifting. Soon it will be the expectation of portability of video content via iPad/iPod type devices. Music became portable with transistor radios back when I was a little boy on the prairie, but ubiquitous access to the world's music is relatively new. And we've all gotten a little accustomed to information on demand via our web-enabled phones and other portable devices.
Whether it is cell phone rings, game difficulty, new feeds, or font size in e-book readers, many children of Paul's generation will experience a world that conforms to their preferences.
Everywhere, that is, except in school. We're still pretty much one-size-fits-all and you'd better conform to us.
Any bets on whether drop out rates from traditional schools continue to climb? Or on whether "customizable" eduction will be the next big thing in education?
Reader Comments (8)
Is it any wonder the kids entering our classrooms are so disengaged. Be that I could ffw through some really bad staff developments. Sigh. Looks like ya'll had a great time.
Take a listen to this freakonomics podcast about a trial program in NYC.
http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/12/freakonomics-radio-how-is-a-bad-radio-station-like-the-public-school-system/
"Any bets on whether drop out rates from traditional schools continue to climb? Or on whether "customizable" eduction will be the next big thing in education?"
The dropout rates are (according to the National Center for Educational Statistics) at the lowest point they have been in 28 years.
Student motivation and interest...? ... that might be a different issue and one not measured by the dropout rates.
Source: http://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=16
Like your grandkids, my kids' world has always been DVRs, multi-touch pinch moves, and portable information. When I had a webpage open on the iPad and they were amazed that they could not just pick up the stylus and write on the page (why not, Daddy?), I had that moment of realization that school was in trouble if it does not adapt.
Agree with you 100% - I often wonder why some people are upset that students don't use their assorted technology correctly when no one has taught them how. Would there be less issues and problems with students if we started each year encouraging students to bring in their stuff and then having us show them how to correctly use it?
Kids are so au fait with technology its scary. I remember being really scared of pressing the wrong button when I had my first pc. Now 5yr olds are quite happy uploading photos and learning through the internet. Your post inspired me to write my latest blog article Our Own Personal Worlds.
I love that picture of you and Paul swimming in the gravel pit. It's wonderful to see differing generations enjoying one anothers company. And I bet Paul is pretty happy that he's got a Grandfather who's able to teach him a thing or two about the world we're living in today just as much as you enjoy learning from him.
Hi Cathy,
FFW? No comprende.
We did have a great time. Everyone goes home today. And its back to work for me!
Doug
Hi Brad,
Thanks so much for the link. Fascinating article/podcast. The results of all this testing/data collection SHOULD be a individualized, prescriptive educational experience for all kids. Maybe it will be the next "big thing"?
Doug
Hi Joel,
Thanks for the stats. I based my statement on recent readings (that I don't remember now). Perhaps it is the total number of dropouts rather than dropout rate.
Anyway, I stand corrected. Thank you,
Doug
Hi Michael,
Many education writers have been concerned over the growing disconnect between schools and the rest of the world for many kids. A person wonders what will eventually allow change to happen - if it does!
Doug
Hi Kenn,
Ah, you must have spyware in my computer. Your comment reflects the article I'm now writing.
Doug
Hi Jenny,
Paul is "family" lucky in a lot of ways - great parents, two sets of caring grandparents, and other extended family members. My own grandparents were an important part of my childhood so it is nice to be able to pay it back a little!
Doug