Are Free Tools Worth the Price?

In my final discussion panel with Brenda Dyck (Salon # 5: Are Free Tools Worth the Price?), we unanimously agreed they are definitely worth it! First of all, the "No" viewpoint was very weak, focusing on the assumption that we must support the software companies "that have worked the bugs out of programs before we use them." How lame is that? Somehow, I think the computer software companies will figure out how to survive in a Web 2.0 world! I think the "Yes" viewpoint hit on a better negative point, which is the problems sometimes associated with free tools. However, who hasn't encountered similar problems with purchased software too? The extra time it may take to fiddle with a new free tool is well worth the savings, especially in light of today's economic crisis and looming budget cuts. In addition, the argument the "No" viewpoint makes with respect to the lack of usefulness and appropriateness of some free tools I also found to be misguided. Sure, some people may not see the need for "word clouds" or "Wordles" in the classroom, but that doesn't mean they are worthless, just that some people may just lack imagination! To help make my point, I created the Glogster page that's shown above. At first glance, an online poster maker may just seem like another frivolous tool, but with a little ingenuity, a "scholarly" topic and some imagination, even a Glogster can be used in education!

Neil Postman and the Judgment of Thamus: Salon #3

I participated in the third salon entitled "The Judgment of Thamus", based on an exerpt of a book by Neil Postman. I found the article, our salon discussion and the additional articles and video posted on the salon wiki, very thought provoking! The articles really got me thinking about how the new technologies of today are altering our understanding of the purposes of education and teaching and the role of not only the teacher, but students too. Postman makes the argument that technology innovations have a two-sided effect of being both (he does not mean either/or) a burden and a blessing, and in fact he says "a new technology does not add or subtract something. It changes everything." Although at first reading he seems to be a technology "naysayer", what he's really advocating is moving into the future with our eyes open to the possible effects of new technology innovations. By viewing new technologies in this light, we won't be blind to the possible harm that could be caused, because as Postman stresses, any new technology always produces both winners and losers. Education is an example that he gives where the teachers are the losers, although they are deluded into thinking they are the winners. While I do not view technnology innovation as harshly as Postman, I now view those same innovations in a different light. Before jumping onto the bandwagon of a new Web 2.0 tool for instance, I will look more closely at it to ensure that this technology innovation really improves my teaching and enhances my students' learning and is not just the "bells and whistles" that students are becoming accustomed to. I'm all for the "bells and whistles" if they have a positive impact on student learning, increase enthusiasm for the project or topic being taught and do not hinder any types of learners. In fact, I'm beginning to reevaluate some things I took for granted about new technology, for instance that it always improves learning when in fact some traditional approaches to teaching might still be the better and more effective practice taking into consideration the unique group of learners in any given class. I still support technology innovation and look forward to trying out new tools, but as an educator, I can no longer ignore the negative possibilities that might arise from certain innovations, and must not forget that although technology may solve some "old" problems, that same technology may generate new problems. Our task as educators as we move forward into the future with our "eyes open" is the difficult task of not only trying to predict what new problems will arise from certain technology innovations, but also what these same technologies may ultimately "undo" as we struggle to redefine knowledge and information in our ever-changing world. At least by acknowledging the fact that new technologies alter how we think and learn, we can join with Thamus as Postman suggests and become part of the conversation and ultimately the solution, balancing the old with the new.

The Wordle at the beginning of this post is my attempt to start a conversation based on Neil Postman's ideas. I took the key words from his son Andrew's introduction to the 20th Anniversary Edition of Amusing Ourselves to Death, by Postman. When inputted into Wordle, a fantastic "word cloud" of ideas and concepts is created based on (both) Postman's thoughts and writing. Wordle is a great example of how judging the benefits or problems of technology is subjective, since some may say: "A word cloud, so what? How does that help my students?", while I can argue that although it is substitute for Postman's actual written words, a Wordle can generate interest and enthusiasm and ultimately a deeper discussion into the topic! No matter how positive or negative you are about technology (or whether you think Wordle is a teaching tool or a joke), all of us must reevaluate what we do in the classroom in reaction to the increasingly present technology, whether it is closing the door to it or embracing it, we must do so after careful consideration with our "eyes open."

Where's the Beef?

I participated in Brenda's first "salon" entitled: "Where's the Beef: Finding Literacy in Computer Literacy". I thoroughly enjoyed reading this article and came away with a lot of thought provoking ideas and revelations from both the text and the discussion. Literacy is something I'm keenly aware of in my role as a library media specialist, especially how I can instruct my students and better prepare them to be 21st century learners. Information literacy is usually my focus, but literacy really encompasses so many more areas and is constantly evolving in today's ever changing technology rich world. The article really makes one think about whether we are doing the right things as educators, are we focusing on the right technology, the right skills, to ultimately prepare our students for their future? The author makes the point that the education world is notorious for taking its time especially where technology is concerned. I love the final quote of the paper: "So--if we resist, drag our heels, take another 20 years to understand the world of digital literacy, what is the price we are willing to pay? What is the price you are willing to pay?" Since the author discusses the "remix culture" we now live in, especially with respect to literacy, I was inspired to create the above Animoto, a short video depicting the various points the author makes throughout the article. Hope you enjoy my remix of "Where's the Beef"!