Here, take my advice -- I'm not using it!
Blog defies description

On technology and accomodation in the classroom

Leftover thoughts from the discussion in the pub

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I fear I was too soft and gentle in my question about whether to accomodate students in their requests to not use technology as part of class activity.

I completely agree that accomodation should follow cases where a student has a personal-value regarding technology which prohibits it use. (concerns about privacy, not wanting to access or fear of inadvertently accessing content).

My question was more about whether to accomodate statements of preference about technology (such as "I don't like blogs therefore I don't want to use them")

Before we continue, let me illustrate something with my favorite example -- the hammer.  (Yes, you might have heard this before).

As I previously mentioned, hammers are used to drive nails or other tapered objects through soft materials, like wood. They are not particularly useful for driving flat-end bolts through concrete. That requires a drill (as I said yesterday, it usually takes a few technological tools to meet all your needs). I've used a hammer, as I'm sure you have, and several times I've hit my thumb. But I've kept on using the hammer.

I've seen firsthand cases of professors who have asked students to use technology 3 times during the entire semester and then succumbed to their pressure not to use it because students "don't like it". This is more akin to what Shayne was saying about a student who was misinformed about YouTube, etc and whom he encouraged to use it but also supported a backup plan.

I'm concerned that accomodating negative preference leads to people who aren't open to trying things more than once (v2.0 upgrade?) and who reject technology in favor of becoming a sideline critic, not to mention encouraging a bunch of whiners who can't stretch themselves for 3 blog posts in a semester. Do I like hitting my thumb with a hammer? No. But I keep using it -- the positives are that hammers are cheap, easy, and convenient.

We read an article about how we need to be more aware of the downsides of technology -- but I also argue we need to be aware and supportive of the positives of technology at the same time. I fear either extreme and am concerned about the researcher who keeps technology safely at a distance while heavily criticizing it.

How do you handle preference with your students?  Do you encourage the use of technology even when it's "not liked" or "not easy to use" etc?

It doesn't seem possible to me that anyone can put their hands up and prevent technology from coming... what about supporting people while they use it so that they challenge themselves in the face of dislike, lack of confidance, etc. We are all too young to be shutting things out.

Why is it we can accept a hammer hitting our thumb a couple of times but we expect modern technologies to be seamlessly easy and lovable?

Posted by hkvonlud ( Aug 28 2008, 07:26:19 AM EDT ) Permalink Comments [0]