What the Head Thinks

People seem to worry a lot that technology is going to make it harder and harder for people to relate to each other in person.  I understand that concern, because someone who spends way too much time in front of a monitor really might forget to spend enough time with others in person. 

 But for the most part, the advantages of technology seem to far outweigh the problems.  I was thinking about a relative I have in Norway.  I visited Norway — in person — about 22 years ago.  It was truly beautiful.   Since 1985, many changes in technology have occurred — and he and I have exchanged email, pictures, and information about our families.  It’s great!

Even though I can’t make a quick trip to Oslo, Norway, over the weekend — I can at least talk to my distant cousin by email, look at pictures he has of last-past relatives, and learn more about his life and country.  I couldn’t do that in any other way so easily.

The world gets wider and wider, flatter and flatter — it’s great that we can keep in closer touch with each other in the meantime.

It has occurred to me that we lose a lot of valuable opportunities for blogging during the middle of the night.  Just because we get sleepy, tired, restless, exhausted, and worn out — is that a reason not to continue blogging? 

So, my suggestion: before we fall asleep at night, let’s leave our tablets nearby.  If we find ourselves falling asleep, and beginning to dream — log on, go to your blog, and see if you can record some of your innermost thoughts on your blog —- as you sleep and dream!!

What a perfect way to multi-task!  Sleeping, dreaming, blogging, connecting, and expressing our deep thoughts.

Now, in case you are thinking that I am serious about this — well, relax, because as much as I think blogging and other technology efforts are valuable — I also think it’s even more important to rest, get some sleep, relax, dream at night and during the day, and let your mind wander and your imagination roam. 

So, I try to make sure I get plenty of sleep.  Otherwise, I might fall asleep in the daytime, thinking it’s night, and…..well, you can see the mess I’d fall into!  So, blog when you are awake, dream when you are asleep, make time to be on the computer AND off the computer — and things will probably work out for everyone.  

We have two cats at home.  So far, both have refused to use the new technology that the rest of us in the house enjoy.  Somehow, they remain content with food, water, sleep, and the occasional trip to the litter box.  But my thought is: these cats don’t know what they’re missing!

What if they could e-mail felines in other parts of the country to see if those cats are eating better and having to do fewer household chores.  What if they could create their own blog, making a personal statement about feline technology and exploiting that advanced understanding so that the world could become more cat-0-centric.

 But yet, our two cats continue sleeping in the sunlight that flashes through our living room window.  They may be content, but it’s a shame they couldn’t take at least one of their nine lives to learn a bit more about the world!

I have really been impressed with the amazing blogging that all the 6th graders have been doing.  The deep thinking and the creative expression are truly incredible.  It’s not the technology that is so striking — it is how each student writer has reached inside for a truth that is theirs.  It’s great!

One of things I think important about a school community, in looking at technology for the future, is that everyone interested has the opportunity to enter dialogue and planning for change.  Technology can be anxiety-producing for parents and teachers — but in general our students are already way ahead of us.  So, how do we plan for what our children are already comfortable with?  We talk together, we think together, and we listen to what we think is important for the future of our children’s education.  On a personal level, then, I always want us listening to how our children talk to us about their own learning.  That’s what teaches me.  One of my teachers here is Willy Kjellstrom, who continues to help me tune into how our students are learning about their world by way of technology.