Logging off and tuning out

Our in-class discussion yesterday was really interesting and I think a lot of valid, thoughtful comments were made about the current education system and whether technology is wholly beneficial or perhaps more harmful than we think. In some ways, it's a little ironic that we had that discussion and yet our journeys are being documented through an online and completely technology-based interface: the blog. So I feel a little bit weird and hypocritical blogging about the perils of technology, since I'm using it right now.

However, like Thylias said, when are we really not using technology? Even when we use a pencil or hammer a nail into a wall, we are using some form of technology. It's kind of like the question, When are we not reading? The answer is, perhaps, never.

As we talked about during our discussion, it's really important for kids in this and the next generation to learn to play - to make up games, play outside, etc. I agree, but I do not think removing technology from schools, even just removing the "fun" aspect to it, is a good solution to the problem. Since about 60% of elementary students today will have jobs in the future that do not even exist now, I think it's extremely important to keep students abreast of new and emerging technology. Yes, the technology will change, but as long as both teachers and students continue to learn about and tackle it together, I think the students will be much better off.

I also took a picture of the plant that was on the table in front of me. I really like how the photo tells a story: you can see that it is sunny outside (it's snowy today and I'm dearly missing that nice weather) and that the sun is coming through the window at a slant, so the plant is casting a shadow (and this way you can tell about what time is was - noon). You can also see my coffee cup, and surmise that that morning, I was feeling tired and in need of a caffeine boost. From knowing that I was tired, you can also piece together a story of my night before this morning: what did I do? What time did I go to bed? Why was I tired the next morning?