Thing #5 Web & School 2.0

I have to quote the learned Mr. Spock right now..."fascinating"...

The Chinese have a saying/curse (I know this is a bit cliche, but it fits) "may you live in interesting times"...

Although I am excited about the increasing technology that is becoming available every day, I must admit a little bit of trepidation.  I remember the chalkboards in classrooms and I was taught using paper and pencil.  My concerns gravitate towards the knowledge that my students are experiencing a great change that will continue throughout their life.  They are on the cusp of a new "age" of learning; an age that steers away from the old model of pen and paper and begins to use higher technology.  Teachers such as myself have an onerous task ahead of us.  We need to break the shackles of how we were taught and begin adapting to what our students need.  These children should be prepared to face the world that they will live and build.  If we cannot show them how to live in this new world than we will ultimately fail in our task.  Wow...

I must admit that I am feeling lots of excitement.  I have always wanted to live in a sci-fi novel and it turns out that is coming true as I speak!  Did anyone seriously expect that an Ipad would show up in an 1980s/90s science fiction television show? The ability to interact with people globally, to write and record online, and to learn from new ideas has much potential for our children.  I may admit a little bit of fear, but I would say the excitement outweighs it by a long shot!