Walking a very fine line…
I just watched the ‘Final final version’ of Pay Attention by Darren Draper today. I think it is a very powerful video, and I have shown it to many colleagues. The latest version (which if all is working as it should, will be embedded below) has a few changes - some images added, some spelling corrected 
and some extra content. Upon viewing it again, however, I realised it raises some concerns for me.
I think we walk a very thin line when we promote technology in education. There is always the danger that we will be perceived to be pushing technology for its own sake, rather than for the richer learning experience that it can support. And it can be very hard to change those perceptions.
It is easy to assume that because the ‘digital generation’ appear to be so proficient with using technology for communication, that they are experts in its use. In reality, many young people have a very shallow understanding of the power of technology, the internet and web 2.0. We also sometimes assume because they seem engaged when using the technology, that they are having a rich experience.
The section of the video that particularly concerned me was relating to iPods and podcasting. “If you can’t reach your students by speaking directly to them…Teach them via Podcast.” I think it is extremely dangerous to suggest that if you cannot engage your class in person; with the full force of your personality, all your classroom resources, visual materials, student interaction etc; that you can engage the students simply by presenting the same information via their earbuds. It is very simplistic to say, “Perhaps they wouldn’t hate school if they could use their iPods in class”.
I think that podcasts have huge potential in our schools. They can be an excellent revision tool, allow access to material for students with different learning styles etc. But I think their most powerful application for students is as a means of publication, rather than in a purely passive environment. The current generation seem to be more about ‘pushing up’ to the net than ‘pulling down’, and that can be a very rich experience.
I am running another Intel Essentials course starting on Monday, and the quote from the Intel CEO in the training manual springs to mind…
“Computers aren’t magic, teachers are.” I think this is a thought that we need to keep firmly in mind as we develop curriculum for the 21st Century learner.
Download Video: Posted by jsdt4 at TeacherTube.com.
Interesting and very insightful reflective feedback, Suzanne - and to be honest, I couldn’t agree more. You may be interested in some of my initial responses to early criticism. Whether you agree with me or not, I think that the dialog that has ensued because of Pay Attention is healthy for all.
Thanks for the response Darren. As I said, I think the video is a great tool, and I will continue to share it with colleagues. In fact, I will probaly show it to an Intel group next week, and I am sure the points I have issue with will have great value in starting a dialogue on the issues involved. I agree with what you have said in the post you linked above, but I think that argument holds more weight with general statements in these style of motivational presentations - it’s the specifics I have a problem with - the concrete suggestions of how to use a tool like a podcast. If you had left it more open to interpretation, there would be very little to argue.
I definitely agree with Matt C’s comments that students are not the experts we are always hearing about - we have definitely experienced that in our cluster. I quite like his comments about taking a more positive viewpoint also - using positive reinforcement I guess…
I am very glad you made this video - it makes people sit up and take notice, and if teachers can be educated and moved enough to even have this debate, that is a very valuable thing.
BTW, was the podcast seciton one of the additions? Im curious as to whether my views have developed and changed since I first viewed the video, whether I just had more time to reflect this time, or whether you added more specifics in the final version?
The podcast section was there in the original. Since originally publishing PA, however, we have added a lot of content on our site (the Jordan School District T4 Website).
As far as additions go, in the “Final Final Version” I added a few photos, fixed a few mis-spellings, added/fixed a few references. Most of the changes were very minor, but all of which fixed something that bugged me in the original.