Teaching towards the invisible world

This article about technology in an American public school system offers a telling quote about fearsome cyberspace:

“First-graders podcasting? My goodness, that’s amazing; I feel like I’ve had a good day if I can turn my computer on and answer my e-mail,” [Mike Prater, Waynesville’s assistant superintendent for curriculum] said.

Prater said educational methods and workplace expectations have greatly changed since he was a student, and even during the last five to 10 years. Some of the few constants are that students will still have to be able to read, write, have math skills and be good citizens, Prater said.

“It is often said that we are preparing our students for a world we cannot see,” Prater said.

That reveals a whole stratum of fears about technology and learning, starting with the openness gaping beyond institutions and disciplinarity.  It also draws on an old Gothic trick, which is to get the reader (or viewer, or listener) to generate their own fears, by not specifying the fearsome thing in detail.

That's the shadowy double of the Invisible College, too.

(thanks to Peter Naegele!)

Comments

[Andy Havens]

Interesting. I read this quote much differently than you, it seems. The "world we cannot see," in my interpretation, is the future. Which, yes, can be scary. But not a frightening, unknowable technical vortex. It may also mean that they are preparing students for a much wider world -- which can be accessed through technology -- than simply the one in the classroom.

Either way, I found this article to be on the hopeful/helpful side of the technology story. It seems like this school district is at least trying to get teachers into the new century. Lots of other positive points in the story. One weird quote isn't much to go by, especially one as fuzzy as that.

[peter naegele]

I think a lot of what we are seeing here is simply the fear of the unknown. The overall message is hopeful, yes, but the article's author is spinning it in a way to make the situation look less so.

The movement by the PM of Australia is another sign of hope in a gloomy forecast. Read it HERE.

[Steve B]

The "invisible world" phrasing makes me think of Faerie.

[pete naegele]

@Steve B

And witchcraft as well!