I read a couple of blog posts and newspaper articles over the Christmas and New Year period about the developing use of ICT in Scottish schools. These pieces bothered me at the time, not because I disagreed with the views expressed (although I did), but because I found myself disturbed by the mindset that generated them.
Basically, they were written by people who have, for no discernable reason that I can glean, appointed themselves as the guardians of all that is good in the use of technology in teaching and learning. What is ‘good’, of course, in this context, is whatever they have decided is ‘good’. What is ‘bad’ is anything that they have determined does not fit with their world-view, a world-view that seems to shift and shimmer with the passing of each tech-fad or techno-fancy.
Such people are, in my opinion, selfish.
Why? Because they are more concerned with displaying their own advanced thinking, their own leading-edge practice (self-defined, of course) — and they seem entirely unconcerned with the needs of their colleagues who (in their own terms, again) trail behind them. Grandstanding must do something for their self-regard, I suppose, but it achieves precisely nothing for all those teachers who still lack confidence in the use of ICT in their classrooms, or who, genuinely, question the efficacy of bringing technology into the classroom at all, or who need to see and hear examples of good practice that is not dogmatic about platforms or proprietory labels or the myriad ‘isms’ that inhabit this space.
I do not believe that such grandstanding achieves anything for Scottish education (or for education generally, since such behaviour is by no means restricted to our own shores). I do believe that those who are genuinely working to help doubtful, tentative and uninformed colleagues across the country become familiar with just a few examples of good practice in the use of ICT in the classroom are to be admired and supported. Only they have our wider interests at heart.
Technorati Tags: grandstanding, elitism, dogma, good practice
Well said, John. I can’t remember a time when there were such contrasting views on a single aspect of education — with the possible exception of “the belt” which had just been banned when I started teaching.
I also agree.
Hectoring and railroading class teachers into adopting new ICT practices amounts to nothing short of bullying. Some advocates are dismissive and sneering of those who appear to resist new technologies.
I say this as one who sees the value of ICT in the classroom as another tool in the teacher’s kit. Nothing more, nothing less.
My view is that most teachers want what’s best for their pupils and that may or may not include games based learning, social networking etc at this point in their individual context.
New technologies are only as good as the teacher utilising them and as their specific LA allows them to be. Further, the very best teachers can deliver the best lessons with little more than a well phrased question and an open forum.
Consequently, I feel we need balanced, fact-based debate and not emotive, divisive rhetoric.
Hi John,
I think I agree with most of what you say, but, as someone who blogs about what we do in the classroom, including how technology might aid lessons or learning, I write that blog fully expecting that, by the nature of the media being used, someone might challenge it. Anything that goes on the blog is just sharing the experience of the class and myself, it’s not written with the certainty that it’s the best way or the only way, and often by expressing it on the web, something comes back that makes me think again. Hope I haven’t yet again missed the point, but a thought provoking post.
Don’t think you’ve missed the point at all, Kenny, otherwise my criticisms would apply to my own blog too, of course
I think there’s a substantial difference in attitude between those who want to, as you say, share experiences or, occasionally, even challenge others’ opinions on one topic or another, and those who merely use their platform, whatever it is, to attract attention to themselves and to persuade us all of their self-evident eminence in the field.
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Hi John
I agree wholeheartedly with what you say. The technologies will come and go but the good teaching must remain.
A pupil leaving my computing class some years ago mentioned he was going to History next and was really looking forward to it. I was surprised because I had always privately thought of the teacher as a bit old fashioned and this lad was quite a tearaway. The reason he gave for his eager anticipation was that the teacher concerned dashed around the room re-enacting battles leaping on chairs (before Elf and Safety) and brandishing a ruler as a sword. Much more exciting than a computer game!
Excellent post John. Articulated my thoughts on much of what has been happening lately. It’s so easy to be destructive rather then constructive.
…and Bob, what computer games are you playing?
John,
I am fairly new to this environment but come with over 20 years of commercial IT experience and your points are just as valid in that context too.
I have seen lots of businesses fail because they adopted technology for the sake of technology or to.please a senior mgt zealot.
I think the points in Clifford Stall’s book High Tech Heretic are still very relevant.
Until we start supporting teachers with experienced IT professionals it will continue to be a difficult juggling act for teaching staff who understand the benefits id technology but still want to stay focussed on theo education process. Technology must also be inclusive and not only relevant to. those who have access to technology at home through technically literate parents.
[…] Grandstanding : John Connell: The Blog http://www.johnconnell.co.uk/blog/?p=2357 – view page – cached I read a couple of blog posts and newspaper articles over the Christmas and New Year period about the developing use of ICT in Scottish schools. These pieces bothered me at the time, not because I disagreed with the views expressed (although I did), but because I found myself disturbed by the mindset that generated them. […]
Like this and second one on education
http://www.businessinsider.com/21-things-that-became-obsolete-this-decade-2009–12#pdas-1
http://teachpaperless.blogspot.com/2009/12/21-things-that-will-become-obsolete-in.html