I flew through Thing 1 and 2. But I hit a road block at Thing 3. All chat and instant messaging features are blocked on school computers. So, there will be no IMing at school. Are we (the establishment) too interested in controlling student interactions that we are stifling the learning process?
What would happen if chat were allowed? Would students IM one another while they were supposed to be typing essays? What if they IMd one another about the essay topic?
What if they IMd their teachers for assignment help?
During Thing 1 we learned that learning doesn't just take place with paper and pencil in neat rows behind the lectern. Now it grows. It is dynamic. It is insidious. It spreads from palm pilot to blackberry like a virus. And it frightens authoritarian figures. It threatens the structure of our hierarchy.
Dare I suggest allowing IM? What chaos would ensue? What anarchy?
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2 comments:
Your blog post raises some really fascinating questions. As the parent of a 7-yr-old, I must say I am really interested in seeing how schools will integrate technology into his education.
Some of the questions you raise made me think of a blog I used to follow: The Cool Cat Teacher Blog She writes a lot about using technology in school, but she had one really interesting post about setting up an IM backchannel for her classroom. I especially thought it was interesting that some of her really quiet students participated much more through the chat channel. Also, the way the transcript feature somewhat kept kids on topic and in line!
Susan,
I will have to check out the cool cat teacher. That title reminds me of this hippie/teacher friend of mine. She'd love it. I think schools are embracing technology for "drill and kill" and assessment tracking, but the "social networking" aspects are carefully controlled. It's ironic that kids can chat freely in the hallway, but it is so carefully gaurded online. IM is seen as the electronic equivalent of passing notes. We have to reteach professionals to "network" when our kids are innate networkers. It's ironic and a bit sad. There is so much potential for social networking tools to be used for good, not evil. It will be a hard sell to our administrators and tech gurus.
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