Training wheels and technology
Tuesday, August 19, 2014 at 05:28AM How do you expect me to learn to use a computer when the keys aren't in alphabetical order? teacher in Computer 101 training circa 1993.
Can learning to ride a bike teach us anything about learning to use technology as educators?
As I prepared to help another grandson learn to ride a bike last Sunday using Grandpa's Secret to Success (no training wheels and no pedals) and then seeing a neighborhood dad pushing his rather fearful daughter on a bike (with training wheels), I started thinking about what the toughest thing about riding a bike actually is.
It's the balance. If you can't balance, you can pedal like crazy, but you are not really riding the bike.
But once the balance is down, the pedaling is pretty easy.
We should ask ourselves what the toughest part of a any technology integration attempt is: the pedagogy (balance) or the technology (pedaling)?
- I would argue that understanding and delivering differentiated instruction is more difficult than creating a course in a CMS that gives pre-tests and presents a variety of activities and resources.
- I would argue that understanding process writing is much more challenging than learning to use a word processor.
- I would argue that internalizing the need for immediate formative assessment is a lot harder than learning to create quizzes in GoogleForms.
- I would argue that understanding how to formulate a good question is tricky while doing an effective Internet search is not especially difficult.
You get the idea.
I am still of the firm conviction that technology does not improve student achievement; but can and should support best practices that do. Gaining confidence with the best pedagogical practice should come before adding the tech that supports it.
Reader Comments (5)
This post gives support to my decision to teach basic hardware and software to student regardless of their previous "experience". My favorite students are the gamers who spend hours and hours on a computer but have very little knowledge of hardware (except that which the gaming companies push).
I have also seen so many teachers who are anxious about clicking certain buttons or menus, thinking they could break their machine. I usually tell them the only way to break their computer is with a hammer - and then I gladly offer my hammer (which I keep in a closet in my room).
Hi Kenn,
Yes, many people sadly lack the basics, although the basics seem to be a moving target with so much moving to the cloud. (I think of what basic skills my mother needs to know.)
I always give teachers the same advice about not being able to do any permanent damage - with the exception of their ability to destroy or lose their own work. We can restore anything but your masters thesis, I say.
Doug
Back in the day when my WA state district introduced electronic report cards, the library was a busy place. We had the only
two computers that worked reliable with the program. I repeatedly said, "Save and save often. Save to a floppy too as an
added precaution." Some listened, many didn't. I supplied tissues and encouraging words while they started all over.
Mind you, I have been screaming at the computer for two days as I try to build a new webpage. It just doesn't listen.
;)
Hi Gwen,
I remember the day when the ONLY computer in the building was an AppleII and the principal who likes spreadsheets and I who like word processing shared it!
Good luck with the webapages.
Good to hear from you,
Doug
Great technology nice share