The process of jumping on the technology train seems to come more quickly to some people than other. To have the newest, greatest hi-tech device on the market and then be behind in learning how to use it doesn't help either. As with the video Mr. Winkle Wakes, (http://www.youtube.com/embed/lm1sCsl2MQY) if we are in the 22nd century with a 19th century mentality how can we hope to accomplish anything with those around us. Being a teacher I am always upgrading my personal knowledge of things (technology, etc...)but if I don't find a way to implement them and present them to my students it is meaningless. On the other hand, if I refuse to acknowledge the changes going on outside my classroom I am doing a disservice to those I teach.
When I watched the video presented by Thomas Friedman, "The World is Flat" (2007)(http://video.mit.edu/watch/the-world-is-flat-30-9321/) I came to the realization that my students were moving at a faster pace than I was, communicating with each other in a language that was as unfamiliar to me as hieroglyphics (which I found two spellings for as well, I did not even know that).
I was in a teaching competition with YouTube and Facebook and trying to get my students attention in the classroom the old fashion way. Having my students show me how to Instagram, Gif or Tweet for the first time opened my eyes and showed me where I am in this flattened world.
To learn from "Those Wacky Kids" Pesce, M. (2008) ( http://www.viddler.com/v/503f4c5a) helped me to see teaching in a new light. Teaching my students in a way that they can understand and that is not so out of date that I lose them is critical. Staying connected with my students is vitally important. How can I expect to do that if I lose touch with the ever changing world outside my classroom?
The time has come for me to embrace technology, use it properly and implement it accordingly in my teaching. I want to hear my students saying things like, "Mr. P posted the assignment online", "did you see the webcast that Mr. P posted", "I downloaded the video of the computer assignment tutorial Mr. P put on YouTube.
I think the time for hand written notes and handout sheets is slowly fading into the past. I for one don't want to fade too.
