“If we teach today’s students the way we taught them yesterday, then we rob them of tomorrow.” This was the quote that got me. It’s interesting because when I think of Dewey, I immediately think of experiential education that involves more of the outdoors and less of technology. I think Walden, I think simplify…I don’t think digital media. More than anything, this is because of the specific context of my Dewey-based enlightenment. Although I had been introduced to his theories before, I became a real Dewey convert in Allan DiBiase’s Philosophy, Ethics & Education class at PSU. Every Saturday, our group of ten wandered off into the woods of Sandwich, NH on our snowshoes, returning in the afternoon for lunch and discussion in Allan’s living room. Hands down, my favorite class yet, because it gave me the opportunity to discuss and digest information, share ideas and apply new skills in a unique learning community. And did I mention the snowshoeing adventures?!
For me, learning through action is the most motivational--especially when that action takes place outside of a traditional classroom. That is not to say that I can’t effectively learn indoors through more conventional, stationary methods; I just prefer it the other way around. This is where I can recognize a connection between myself and the kids in the video. The “stealth learning” that they’re participating in within their digital media education programs keeps them motivated, engaged and wanting more, while still providing them with useful technical skills and nurturing their ability to think critically. Preparing students to be able to innovate and solve problems, to try, fail, try again and succeed--this is a common goal that we might be able to see at both an alternative outdoor education school or a digital media education program.
The difference, I think (and as the distinguished-looking, bearded man in our video pointed out), is our educational value system that favors certain learning environments over others. Cue the traditional all-or-nothing idea, which tells us that technology is melting kids’ brains and can’t be an appropriate basis for learning. But why can’t we embrace digital media as just one learning tool among many others? It’s not as if the entire curriculum has to be tech-based, but integrating digital literacy into an otherwise traditional classroom gives students new ways to investigate information, express themselves and gain competence. Basically, it’s a digital realization of experiential education theory…and it really doesn’t seem like there’s much of a downside.
Your opening quote is my favorite one this week! It resonated with me so deeply that I posted it to my school forum and shared with friends. Your Dewey class experience sounded amazing! It must have been refreshing to snowshoe and then discuss your findings with your classmates because you were in the natural learning environment. What a great experience for you! I hope you can use that in your own class one day.
ReplyDeleteWow.. I agree, this quote is one to keep posted on our fridge, desk and any other place we can think of. We need to project our students into the future, not keep them in the past.
ReplyDeleteI have heard of outdoor learning environments. An opening in the woods with wooden benches and table for students. I could see how this type of environment would be great, especially if you could use it on a regular basis. At the beginning of the school year all of the teachers in my school had to fill out a survey to find out if this is something we would use with our students. Hmmm maybe someday.
I have to say, I am really enjoying all of the positive information from everyones blogs.
You make a good point about technology being just one learning tool among many. I think this is really important to remember especially as standards change and teachers are expected to integrate more technology into their classrooms. It is a great way to motivate all the different learning styles within one classroom. I really like some of the examples we saw in the video of kids presenting work in different ways that still achieved the same learning goals. Your philosophy class experience sounds amazing. I took mine online but would have loved to snowshoe while taking it. How great that PSU offers experiences like that to future teachers. I think teachers should be educated in a way that is similar to the way we hope to build our classroom experiences.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Laura, technology is just one learning tool among many. I feel that we forget that it may not be suited for all learning styles. I get overwhelmed with the sheer number of resources out there. i start a search on an idea for a lesson and then I get bogged down going in circles and end up with too many ideas.
ReplyDeleteThe picture you painted of your philosophy class sounds amazing. I would love to be able to offer my students the experience of an outdoor classroom.
-Kristie
LOVE that quote too! Absolutely, the technology is just part of the learning process. It is a fun, engaging, as well as participatory way to learn. It's just something different. A new way to teach something. It doesn't have to be in every lesson you teach and I think you are seeing that connection here by your posting. It is a great way to teach lessons that could contain global learning and instruct your students how to communicate with other students from different countries. Without technology, could we do this? Why yes, through hand written letters. The entire world is technology enabled. Ok, maybe not the entire world, but a whole lot of it, and we need to make sure we are helping our students walk out of our schools prepared for what ever challenges they face. It is ok not to feel like you HAVE to use technology in your classes at all times. I am happy that you are finding the connections a little bit at a time. I love using wiki's in my classroom too. I am not able to use blogs, so I use wiki's because they are password protected.
ReplyDeleteYour philosophy class sounded great. I wish I lived closer to take that one. I did take one face to face and I really enjoyed it as well. I would never have been able to take that class all online I do not think!