It was interesting to read the discussion on how the seasons are created and the phases of the moon. It did make me wonder if we really don't "know" things because they are felt that they don't have any bearing on "my" life. Now don't get me wrong, they actually do, but they don't because life goes on without having to think about these facts of life.
Education can have a wonderful impact of what we remember. The way that things are presented and what is used to get the material across will help with the explanation, as well as how well it is remembered by the listeners. Through the use of new media that has become available over time, concepts such as the seasons or phases of the moon, can be made to be more visual for the watcher. So much of what we do is visually related. Listening works, that's if the person is actually listening.....
New media such as gaming, the You Tube thing and the internet, have opened the eyes of the listeners. They can listen, but they can now watch and see. They can visualize how and why these wonderful things occur.
As I am typing this, I just realized that the things I do, the things I teach and the things I understand the most are so much easier to do because of new media. Then I come to the fact that this is also a bad thing for me as well. I hate seeing new media presented to me. It gives me too many ideas of how I want to do things, how I want to change some to the things, and how to obtain the tools to do it as well.
So many media, so little time.....
Nice post. I guess the key is that you are flexible enough in your approach to see how new media CAN improve what you already do well. Real and substantive change or progress is rarely easy. I come across so many teachers who are inflexible about new media because for them it is harder, not recognizing it will make learning easier for their students.
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ReplyDeleteYou know, as I read your first paragraph, I was shaking my proverbial head in agreement. There are so many things that go on without actively acknowledging how they happen that many of us simply accept that they do and that's enough. ;-)
ReplyDeleteYou are a wonderful exception to the rule. Most teachers shun new if it means changing what works - even if there appears to be a need for change. When new media is introduced we should all embrace it and decide by use/trial and error whether it fits our scheme of teaching and our students scheme of learning.