This is How We Dream , Dr. Richard Miller

Richard Miller This is how we Dream

Hello blog people in blogland

Dr Millers lecture is another lecture like lectures we have heard before ( a little redundant huh? ). This was a lecture, surprise surprise, on technology in education. I’m just taking a playful jab here, because he did have some valid points and interesting ideas. Therefore, there are some ideas I don’t agree with, or at least have a different outlook. The general premise was great. He wrapped up his lecture with the idea that universities in particular need to harness the use of both the humanities and the sciences in order to bring the student along to create the new technology and new ways of expressing themselves through the use of technology in the class room.

First, there is the bad news. I understand that technology is one of the greatest assets a teacher can have in the 21st century. However, what is so wrong with pencils and paper? Why is it such a movement to make everything easy? I personally think this is an after effect on the new parenting methods of these children you see running around with no self control or idea of the way the world actually is. I may be old fashioned in this arena, but I don’t see anything wrong with reading a book, an actual paper sheeted book. We used to be asked to use our born in (perhaps God given) media players: our imaginations. My stance on life in general applies here, anything to far to one extreme is questionable and most of the time you should try to incorporate some of both worlds in order for it to work. Use your previous knowledge of what has worked and apply it to the new way of thinking without necessarily throwing away where you came from. Einstein didn’t have Google, Hemingway didn’t have Wikepedia , and Led Zeppelin didn’t have a Myspace.

But wait, there’s more! Miller had a good point about using other avenues to write reports and do projects in the classroom. He basically said we need to harness the use of audio, video, and multimedia in the classroom in order for students to learn using technology they use for other things. Teachers have been doing this forever, but it has just been packaged differently. He also mentioned combining the minds of the scientific and those who teach humanities to create a learning environment conducive to the students of the future so that the in turn can become educators of their respective futures. I think Dr. Miller is on the right track, I just think we have to remember our past if we don’t want to repeat it with the newest cool gadget in our hand.

Also, a brief praise for Dr. Miller:
He mentioned the value of post production of Vodcasts, Podcasts, Youtube video etc. I could not agree more with his stance. If your going to use one technology to send a message, use the technology they give you to refine it and make it better and thereby making the media more appealing to your audience (i.e. your students).