“Hate the Player, Not the Game”
I just read a very interesting editorial in this month’s T.H.E. Journal. Jeff Weinstock explains how “for new technologies to be successfully integrated into schools, we must first fix the users, not the tools”. After reading his editorial, it became clear. In education, we are so quick to ban the tools instead of doing what we are meant to do, teach the user.
I am in the midst of taking an online course on Web 2.0 tools. Many of the class participants are expressing frustration with many schools blocking tools for instruction, such as wikis, blogs and social bookmarking sites. Educators are afraid of misuse and misconduct while using any type of tool where the slightest bit of control is taken away. Unfortunately, in the 21st Century, more and more options are readily available with electronic devices and online technologies that maintaining control is almost impossible. If you block one aspect, students are smart enough to go around the block and find another way in. Instead of just teaching and modeling appropriate behaviors, we are taunting the technologically savvy student to find a way around the system. We are entering into a new realm where technology leads the way. Educators need to focus more on teaching what is socially acceptable instead of the quick fix, which is to ban the tool.
Kathy Davis said,
March 18, 2008 at 5:32 pm
I think you’ve touched on an important nerve here–it’s the feeling of loss of control that educators fear. If we don’t have “all the answers”, we don’t want to use the tool. I agree that this does challenge the tech savvy student to find a back door.
Betty Lynn Darden said,
March 19, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Tina!
Yes, we see that all the time here and I am sure at every other school. Tech savvy students know how to scoot around all the mechanisms we have in place…using translation sites, for example. When we had YouTube here at Tabb there were so many possibilites for teachable moments but, unfortunately, the students were using it in inappropriate ways. Of course, not all students but what I saw going on in the library was outrageous! Students are quick to click on minimize thinking “we” don’t know what they have done. “DOH!”
BL
Gary Shepard said,
April 2, 2008 at 5:15 am
Have any of you read any other commentaries by Jeff Weinstock? I haven’t, but I have been recommended to read them. I don’t know the publication.
tmanglicmot said,
April 2, 2008 at 11:42 am
Actually Gary. I read his commentaries often. Everytime I get the T.H.E. Journal, a montly magazine that I subscribe to, I read his brief editorial. He seems to always have something insightful to say.
Gary Shepard said,
April 19, 2008 at 5:20 pm
I just read his latest essay, which I thought was excellent. Thanks for the tip.