Our school district recently adopted a 1:1 technology initiative. Translation: each student now has his or her own techno device. The little peeps are using I-Pads, the middlers are using Chromebooks and the oldsters are bringing their Chromebooks home like checked out library books. Gone are the days of teachers scrambling for a limited number of computer labs. No more early morning intercom announcements, "Whoever has mobile lab C, please return it immediately." Missing are the spicy e-mails scolding the boorish behavior of those who use mobile labs and neglect to plug them in so they are charged up for the next day.
Despite the obvious advantages of having student troughs filled with technology, I am mourning the loss of simpler times. For years I watched angst ridden middle schoolers wobble their way through the halls, leaving a trail of pencils, gum wrappers and scraps of paper. Now, they flash fearful eyes as they precariously balance a computer on top of their worldly possessions. One misstep and they know they are in for more hurt than just a skinned knee and bruised pride. Many have resorted to carrying yet another bag to protect the god-of-all-knowledge-and-goodness.
Unfortunately, many of the students view computers as game dispensers rather than educational tools. They are baffled by usage procedures that don't involve instant gratification. It's natural for them to post responses such as, "hey girl, what's up" or "LOL, check this YouTube video." It's not so natural for them to be assigned websites filled with actual paragraphs of information that need to be read and digested.
It's easy for me to go down roads of fear as I worry that someday I might be lying on a gurney with a doctor googling, "Where is the spleen?" This generation has no problem texting every thought that comes to mind, instagramming all their memorable moments and downloading apps that entertain them into the wee hours of the morning. The line between virtual and real can be blurry at best.
A poignant moment occurred when I announced to my class that we would be going outside for a classification activity. Usually, such an announcement is met with cheers as we leave the confines of our classroom. This year, a young man stopped me on the way out and asked, "Do I have to do this? Can't I just GoogleEarth it and call it good?" My jaw dropped in a speechless stupor. It never entered my mind that one could use a computer to feel the wind or touch a dragonfly's exoskeleton.
Yes, indeed, it's going to be an interesting year as we meander our way through technology land. I'm going to take a cue from my students and download the coolest wallpaper background possible, watch a YouTube video of someone eating chocolate and wait for my troubles to melt like lemon drops. If you're not sure what any of that means, I think you can google it.
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