On-line technology in schools.

The internet. We have come a long way in a relatively short time. Our students can’t remember a time without the it. Here is a short documentary on its development.

“History of the internet” is an animated documentary explaining the inventions from time-sharing to filesharing, from Arpanet to Internet.

The documentary was found via the Internet, made using tools that you can get via the Internet. The voice-over was by Steve Taylor http://voice-pool.com and you can learn about how it was put together on his website. You can learn more about PICOL here.

I am writing this post after again listening to other teachers discuss how schools should use the what the on-line world offers. Discussion was about how teachers should approach on-line options with respect to their classes, the tools that should be used and what it means for a school when some teachers are innovative and others are not.

We have come a long way and things are happening. I understand that many things have to be considered from all points-of-view but sometimes I can become discouraged at how slowly things are changing. When even the value of trials are questioned, especially by some are “put out” by those who are willing to do the work to create a new option for students.

I love it when teachers allow students the option to use their varying creative talents in producing interesting and unique work. They should be encouraged and supported (and lauded) not asked to be careful about offending by their very enthusiasm. Teachers are a funny lot and many are very good at their chosen profession but many like to be “hastened slowly”, not pushed, veryslowly and carefully lead and encouraged. Just as long as they are not left behind by their students who expect to learn and are finding the world beyond the school classroom more interesting, more up-to-date and more relevant.