Since this is one of the points of the blog, seems that it's worth writing about (given the amount of void I've put between posts). It seems that Math and World Languages have a common trait; they seem foreign to most people. Therefore it's good to talk about communication.
This goes on more than just telling your own children, "So how did it go today?" I'll guarantee that if that's a filler for conversation, DON't expect honesty from your children (or last least expect 1-2 syllable answers). Realizing this can be a slippery slope topic, let me break it down (chk-chk-a).
If you really want to communicate, you may need some "translation" skills. This isn't trying to change math words and symbols into equations; I'm talking about real dialogue, especially with teens whose world has been kidnapped by the technology bandits (cell phones, iPads, anything that can detract attention from those around them). They're facing more and more "feelings" and what others think of them, rather than depending on teachers and parents to help build that sense of confidence and security. In the class, facts seem less relevant, and "good vibes" seem to prevail.
I found this to be true when I let my daughter have a cell phone with texting for the first time. It was like 2nd grade all over again, except on a cyber scale, and the playlot is not the park but the phone pad. There was definitely some steering required, and I had to let her make some mistakes in those tough situations where she wanted to depend on her own intuition than my guidance. If she represents a good chunk of teens out there, they're not thinking about the old school "backdoor" office operations that go on in the background of that technology, especially when it involves a smartphone (her new toy). I've put reminders in place about data privacy, and how you keep your information in your wallet, not on the table, so is true of the cell phone or any electronic device.
See what I mean about this being a very slippery subject? I have my doubts about smartphones, but then again, my kind of technology involves the ability to repeat the moment. In other words, can this blog be typed without the aid of a word processor? Probably, but the real question is, when the power goes out, and no computers (or cell phones) are available, do the students have the intrinsic skills to do a manual keytyping of their assignments?
Til I chalk again,
Mr. Shel
This goes on more than just telling your own children, "So how did it go today?" I'll guarantee that if that's a filler for conversation, DON't expect honesty from your children (or last least expect 1-2 syllable answers). Realizing this can be a slippery slope topic, let me break it down (chk-chk-a).
If you really want to communicate, you may need some "translation" skills. This isn't trying to change math words and symbols into equations; I'm talking about real dialogue, especially with teens whose world has been kidnapped by the technology bandits (cell phones, iPads, anything that can detract attention from those around them). They're facing more and more "feelings" and what others think of them, rather than depending on teachers and parents to help build that sense of confidence and security. In the class, facts seem less relevant, and "good vibes" seem to prevail.
I found this to be true when I let my daughter have a cell phone with texting for the first time. It was like 2nd grade all over again, except on a cyber scale, and the playlot is not the park but the phone pad. There was definitely some steering required, and I had to let her make some mistakes in those tough situations where she wanted to depend on her own intuition than my guidance. If she represents a good chunk of teens out there, they're not thinking about the old school "backdoor" office operations that go on in the background of that technology, especially when it involves a smartphone (her new toy). I've put reminders in place about data privacy, and how you keep your information in your wallet, not on the table, so is true of the cell phone or any electronic device.
See what I mean about this being a very slippery subject? I have my doubts about smartphones, but then again, my kind of technology involves the ability to repeat the moment. In other words, can this blog be typed without the aid of a word processor? Probably, but the real question is, when the power goes out, and no computers (or cell phones) are available, do the students have the intrinsic skills to do a manual keytyping of their assignments?
Til I chalk again,
Mr. Shel
Comments
Post a Comment