Teacher 2.0

This new generation of humans will share our basic biological makeup – they will mature as we matured, perhaps more speedily – thank you hormones added to food! – but ultimately they will grow into adult human beings who will, at least, physically, resemble we older ones. Their experiences will, however, vary greatly from ours. Technology will inherently alter the landscape of their lives and future existences. For infants, children and adolescents in the modern world, technology is an inescapable reality.
Technology creates virtual arenas – online “spaces” in which people “socialize” and are socialized. Truly this reality of connection without contact, connection sans physical proximity, is both exciting and scary to me. I think that teachers have an obligation to engage with technology at least as a means by which to help guide and equip their growing and maturing charges with developing identities through these new, increasingly complex and potentially dangerous virtual worlds. We need to recognize that citizenship now looks very different from when we were in school. The demands of preparing students to productively, mindfully and ethically engage in digital citizenship are real. Students are active consumers of technology and with more and more products, websites and diversions being developed and targeted to children and adolescents the likelihood of this relationship waning is minimal. So where do we go from here?
I am going to make a bizarre comment right now but stay with me for a second before passing judgment. I once heard that prisons work – at least in part – because the prisoners buy into the system – think about it, it kinda makes sense. So many prisoners, so few guards… with some organization and savvy the prisoners could make prison life much harder on their guards, etc. through active resistance. Therefore, prisoner buy-in makes the institution run smoother. I think schools are basically the same in that they work best when students buy into what schools seek to accomplish. Using technology is a means by which to meet students where they are – of validating their out-of-school existences and occupations and demonstrating respect for their passions and pursuits. Using technology, in short, can be a means by which to partner with students in their education. Teacher as authority figure is a very passé concept. Teacher as co-constructer of learning environments and experiences is Teacher 2.0. And perhaps, these articles seems to believe, that using technology is not only a way to get kids engaged but also a means by which to more effectively teach them. I say, why not? I’d much rather be part of the evolution than a casualty of the revolution.