Robert X. Cringely writes an interesting piece about the role technology plays in the K-12 classrooms of today and tomorrow. He makes an interesting point: the technology we take for granted today was likely considered superfluous by those before us, and the same will hold true. Will we consider tomorrow’s tech as unnecessary, since we were able to get by without it? It’s an interesting idea. Think about it - our parents managed to get through high school without TI-85s and computers. Our generation was probably at the forefront of actively using the Internet in school, using graphic calculator for calculus, and revising papers in MS Word. Do kids even still write first drafts in long hand any more?
Cringely points out how in today’s classroom schools are actively trying to block out cell phones, text messages, instant messengers, and Internet access during exams. But as a generation that has grown up with these things as second nature, like writing with a pencil, are we holding students back by not embracing new technologies? It got me thinking….just this past weekend we were at an event where we witnessed two young girls, they couldn’t have been more than 10 years old. They had a cell phone, and were busy passing it back and forth talking on it. I remember thinking to myself that when I had kids, they wouldn’t be getting any sort of cell phone until they were much older, if they needed it, and only then it would be limited for emergency use. Why not, I made it through life without one for quite awhile and everything turned out fine.
But this got me thinking. Even if I was relatively late to the game, I’ve used my personal cell phone as my primary “contact” number for quite awhile now. Jen and I each have our own phones, and have no intention really of getting a traditional landline phone. Why pay for that extra line if we’re already paying for a mobile line that is infinitely more convenient? I admit that I’ve started to take for granted that most contact numbers I have for people are their personal numbers - if I call that line I expect to get that person.
So our children will probably grow up in an environment where each person has their own personal phone number. Instant message (via computer or text message) will be even more universal. Internet access will be everywhere and tied to everything. Rather than warily look to whatever advances happen, should we instead try and learn about and embrace everything new as much as we can? Are we only holding ourselves back by the “damn kids, get off my lawn!” attitude? Definitely check out the main article.
They Took Our Jbbs
I wanted to pass along another editorial I recently read in InformationWeek. The subject of foreign outsourcing has been a hot topic lately in the tech magazines I follow. Job loss and outsourcing has also been a close to home point in the local Michigan economy, as well. Everyone seems to be asking the powers-that-be, be it presidential candidates or the governor, “how will you bring jobs back to Michigan?”. This quote struck me, though:
In the end, job creation is a byproduct of smart investments, technology and otherwise. It can’t be the goal in itself.
You can’t just magically create new jobs in the state. There’s got to be something here for industries, whether it’s tech or manufacturing. It seems like we hear the politicos preach that they’ll fix things (I promise!), but we never hear how.
T-shirts and St. Patrick’s Day
Another site I’ve seen floating around viral-style is StuffWhitePeopleLike. Ha! Just off the front page, check out St. Patrick’s Day and T-Shirts.
Leave a Reply