Re: the computers and isolation blues

[tednellen <tnellen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

hmmm.
i'm one of those fools who does believe the technology will create a
utopian world in our classrooms. you see i teach in nyc and i teach in
classes with those kids who have failed in traditional classes and have
been written off by the mainstream teachers. did this in a good school for
17 years. now i'm in one of the worst schools in nyc with kids who know
nothing but failure, have been written off years ago and i am finding that
the technology is bringing them in. they want to know how, they ask
questions, they behave, they are quieter, they want to learn cause they
can and the technology has been the tool allowing me to get to them. 

it seems fitting these words grace the harbor of nyc: "Give me your tired,
your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched
refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to
me. I lift my lamp beside the golden door."

but i'm just a silly poor idealist in nyc messing with the technology with
kids who have been thrown away...

no to me technology is the utopia for them esp as it gets them out of
where they are...

tednellen

 On Thu, 29 Mar 2001, John Walter wrote:

> 
> On Thu, 29 Mar 2001, Douglas Eyman wrote:
> 
> > Sure, we need to be aware, in the critical sense, of the possible
> > shortcomings of our utopian vision for technology in the
> > classroom; but we don't need to become hyper-critical ourselves in
> > order to prove our awareness to the naysayers. We still need to
> > refute some of the uncritical negativity that is aimed at
> > technology (whatever the motive). We might never convince Vonnegut
> > that what we're doing is a good thing, but we shouldn't balk at
> > letting our voices and insights be heard alongside his.
> 
> 	No we don't need to be hyper-critical of ourselves, but, IMHO, we
> need to acknowledge that computers won't create a utopian world.
> Uncritical negativity needs to be countered with critical, balanced,
> and moderated praise which at the same time acknowledges and tries to
> work with real concerns, fears, and frustrations people have. But I'm
> repeating myself just to repeat myself so I'll back off for a time.
> 
> John
> 
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Ted Nellen     8-)                               ted@tnellen.com
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