One of the repeated reminders that our principal gives us is to respond to e-mails within 48 hours. I am told there are some teachers who never respond. It occurred to me this morning that we assume that teachers know how to use e-mail. I am not sure that is an correct assumption. Remember how many people could not program a VCR? Remember what a VCR was? Add to that the number of devices of the modern age that remain beyond many teachers: Voice mail, LED projectors, Chrome books, computerized grading systems and social media to name a few.
Technology is not a panacea. Computer chips and dreams of AI cannot make up for a lack of knowledge in a teacher and cannot give a child a hope for the future. Do children need to know how to use all the latest software and technical innovations? Not really. If they can’t read, write and do simple math it really doesn’t matter if they can text. They will be destined for the car washes and mop buckets of life. The sad part of that destiny is not the level of the job. Honest work has a value. The sad part is that the day will come when the car wash doesn’t need uneducated employees and robots will be scrubbing the toilets. Their future will be the same as today’s shiny new toys.
When your school wants more money for computers have them demonstrate that the kids can read and understand well enough to move on to the technology. Then use the money to hire a librarian instead.
homo unius libri
So true!
ReplyDeleteI wish they would let me put my money on it.
DeleteGrace and peace.