Pet Peeves

I hear it mentioned frequently that kids know more than adults when it comes to computers, and up to a point, that's true. They certainly know how to play games better than we do, and they probably are less afraid than adults when it comes to testing things out. But to say that technology is easier for kids is to ignore a couple of realities. First, adults are usually trying to do work with a computer, and losing work is much MUCH more frustrating than hitting the reset button when Super Mario crashes into the ocean. Second, and more important, to say that kids "know" more than us or are more comfortable with technology, does not mean that they do not need us to catch up, so that we can provide them with guidance and leadership, and not leave them to fend for themselves. Kids may know more about technology than many adults, but they do not know about trust, decision-making, appropriate behaviors, and more. They need responsible adults to help them as they learn to live in this world, electronic, virtual or otherwise.

Something to blog about

For the longest time, the thought of this blog was very oppressive. I mean, what would I write about that even I myself would care about? And then I stopped thinking about the blog and started thinking about what I've been thinking about, and I realized that much of my school day is concerned with the same things this Post program is. I go to work every day and play the role of tech evangelist, trying to assist teachers in integrating technology into their curriculum on a day-to-day basis. Professionally, that's just about all I think of, so you'll pardon me if that's all I can think of to blog about!
It feels like one of those situations where I couldn't see the forest because the trees got in my way. I join the Post program because it's about spreading the Technological Word, we focus in class on constructivist learning environments, I go to school during the day and try to recreate the same thing, and only now do I see how intimately the connection between my studies and my professional focus have been. A great big "doh!" for me!