That’s a fantastic way of visualizing how e-learning ought to work. In India, we’re probably still just grappling with this new medium, and it might be wonderful if we can directly latch on to this idea and work with it instead of going down the traditional path of trying to duplicate classroom training in a different medium. Thanks for the wonderful post.

Raghu

BTW, when you get a chance, check out the posting on my blog (http://punya.educ.msu.edu/2009/04/08/translation-technology-tpack-reflections-on-french-lieutenant%E2%80%99s-woman/ ) on adapting a novel to film. That was what I had started writing for you… but it just became too long and I wasn’t sure I should inflict that on your readers!

Yep- I couldn’t agree more. In my opinion, the toughest one of these for most folks I run into is the first… explore. In my brain, this equates to play. Untested, aimless play. It is the first thing I do with any new technology… kick the tires, and see what the thing can do. Find the limitations. Explore the possibilities. I think it helps to have a little bit of your personality grounded in childhood still. I certainly have an immature chunk left in my personality that I doubt I could squeeze out if I tried.

This is truly the biggest idea to be found here:
“It is only with looking at technologies for what they can do, rather than merely replicate existing practices that we can hope to achieve their potential.”
I couldn’t agree more.

There is just so much goodness in this post… links about 30’s quotes, distance-to-the-moon calculations, pointing to “functional fixedness,” and video. I am still trying to soak this one in while getting caught back up after our Bahamas field study.

Thanks a million for such a contribution. I couldn’t have asked for more!

I am so glad you decided to point out -with many examples- how valuable it is to dig in and really respect any new technology available for what it might be able to do for you. I was reminded of my first tinkering with PowerPoint on my Dad’s computer… I created presentations of some of my latest poems, line by line, faded and dramatic. I didn’t see it first as a way to deliver bullet points. This post made me reflect on that idea. I think it is really significant.

Play is crucial. It really isn’t just silly stuff. Exploration is built into the system at innovative companies. It is too bad that our schools seem to be increasingly pulled into a dry world of numerical accountability that tends to squash such opportunities. To be truly innovative in education today… you have to enjoy playing with it on your own time.

I wonder how we can systematically assure that a time and place for exploration and innovation is available for educators? Without it, it seems silly to expect that very thing from the students of our teachers.

Thanks again Punya,

Sean

First of all, thank you for sharing while Sean was away breaking all the “functional fixedness” of teaching Marine Biology to students in St. Joseph, MO.

As I text messaged back and forth with Sean this morning (he has brought my son back with him from the Bahamas), he asked me if I had commented. I text messaged back that I had not, but I did have many thoughts and feelings about what you posted. Funny, I am still a reluctant learner in this venue. I know reflection is the most dynamic learning tool. Silly me.

So, my learning. I am the instructional principal at Benton High School (where Sean is the instructional coach), and ever since I learned about TPACK, I realized the acronym encapsulated my supervisory responsibilities succinctly. I am the TPACK principal. From that moment of realization, I have also come to learn that our staff thinks “technology” replaces — not enhances — much akin to the video.

And my learning focus is based deeply in trying to find ways to get beyond what you stated so well,

“What I mean by this, particularly in the context of teaching is that incorporating technology into teaching cannot be just business as usual. Technology is disruptive. A new technology changes both what we teach and how we teach.”

I believe I can not professionally develop teachers by separating “T” from “P” from “CK.” I see my district leaders thinking it can be. I see them allowing others to lead who think it can be. You even found a commercial from a school that thinks it can be.

I am not sure I have learned enough yet to know exactly how to go about it, but I do know that I must. And that is what I learned. It may not seem deep in the few words of a comment, but it has given me another sign to follow on my journey of learning. And again, thanks for guest writing.

Ancora Imparo.