The metaphor of the child as an octopus is a startlingly true concept with regards to education today. The world changes and people resist change out of fear because it is in a sense unknown. We continue to teach kids by using old methods simply because it has been our own experience in school and we have no other reference point to draw upon.
We assume that kids are kids and so there isn't a significant difference between children from twenty years ago and today. When viewed logically this is completely false. Kids are a product of many things but in part they are products of the environment they grew up in. Growing up with technology means that kids today will be different than kids of yesteryear. Just a few days ago a couple of the kids in my preschool class were playing with a computer program. They figured out how to record their voices and play it back and were laughing hysterically at the playbacks. Us teachers didn't know the program had that capability and obviously never instructed the kids on how to use it. They found it and without being able to read yet, were able to figure out how to make it work. I was fascinated!
Teachers need to overcome their own fear about not being the know it all of the classroom. They need to accept that they can learn from their students and still be good teachers. Educators also have to recognize that children of today are different and the technology that is so much a part of their lives cannot be ignored in the school setting. Instead it needs to be embraced so that kids will be interested in learning and can flourish in a school setting, using more of what they know to learn more.
Teachers also have a responsibility to get to know some of what their students know how to do. In doing so they will be able to better understand and relate to their students. Additionally, teachers could then incorporate that technology into lessons to better suit the kids they are teaching. Lastly, in getting to know what is out there, teachers are aware of and can avoid issues regarding using different kinds of technology. The more educators that take the time to do this will help move education and society along to becoming more technologically savvy. Change happens and it is important to accept it and become a part of it so that teachers remain connected to their students and the everchanging society we live in.
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