Hello fellow educators welcome to podcast number 122. We are in part 2 of a series of podcasts that will focus on technology and education. Last week I re-broadcasted an interview from one of my regular podcasts called “Search Engine” by the journalist Jesse Brown. He spoke to a Toronto middle school English teacher who has been in the spotlight because of the innovative ways in which he worked with the curriculum using digital devices. One reason for the spotlight on this teacher was a recent flurry of controversy in the Ontario Legislature. Premier Dalton McGuinty said during a media scrum at Queen's Park two weeks ago made the comment "Telephones and BlackBerrys and the like are conduits for information today, and one of the things we want our students to do is to be well-informed,". "It's something we should be looking at in our schools." The premier added that, although they can be a distraction if misused, there is a "right way" to use them. The premier's comments had NDP Leader Andrea Horwath, scratching her head as she responded. “I have a son and he's distracted enough already, When he's in the classroom, he should be learning. He should be focusing and concentrating on his schoolwork; not texting, not surfing, not doing any of that stuff.” The debate is out there. How do we adjust our classrooms to include the new tools of our culture? Andrea Horwath is not alone in her reaction. Should we be teaching the three R’s and not encouraging our kids to be distracted by these technologies? Our interview last week with middle school teacher, Royan Lee, made several important points in this debate:

Our kids are using these devices whether we like it or not. Why not speak to them in a familiar way that will engage them.

By using these technologies there are actually very creative and innovative processes a teacher can employ in their curriculum. The instant ability to receive feedback from students, the instant access to the internet as a research tool, were two of these advantages.

Because our students are using these devices for instant messaging and accessing social media it is important that teachers and parents to should model how to communicate in these environments. Kids often abuse these communication tools because they are kids. They need the guidance that good education can give, construct a moral and ethical framework in the use of this technology. If we don’t use these tools in the classroom we are missing an opportunity to teach our kids digital world values. The digital world is a dangerous place and we have to be there with our kids.

I appreciated Don Neifield’s, one of our individualized teachers with the Online School, comments about last week’s podcast:

“ Thoroughly enjoyed the podcast! .... I particularly liked the positive spin this educator took on kids using technology. I know for me (having felt like a little bit of a dinosaur over the years when it comes to embracing technology!) the fear response is very seldom the right one. What a credit to him to be working on a framework where students can trust each other to learn proper conduct without a huge list of rules. Mutual respect and honour – excellent!”

I have observed Don’s challenges with technology the last couple of years and really appreciate his perspective. Those of us coming from the pre-digital generation have to re-tool to engage the digital natives we want to reach and teach. I applaud Don and all of you that are facing this steep learning curve. But, because you are re-tooling, you will have amazing opportunities to reach into the lives and culture of this digital generation. You will become the wise sages who are able to impart wisdom to the young instead of the “dinosaur” who we have to tolerate until you retire.

Last week I also made a passing comment about the movie, “The Social Network.” I suggested to you that you skip this one and read the more accurate book, “The Facebook Effect” by David Kirkpatrick. Ok, ok go see the movie. There are some racy scenes and it tells the story from the side of the disenfranchised. It is well written and has received very positive reviews. It isn’t because it is the best portrayal of the history behind the social phenomenon of Facebook. The Wall Street Journal’s review said it best: “The biographical part takes liberties with its subject. Aaron Sorkin based his supersmart and superbly funny screenplay on a contentious book, Ben Mezrich's "The Accidental Billionaires," so everything that's seen isn't necessarily to be believed.” If you do see the movie please be forewarned.

Have you heard the phrase “21st Century Learning” lately? Our staff just attended our Associated Christian School International (ACSI) convention where the keynote and, at least, one out of four workshops employed a form of this cliche. In every instance they were using the phrase to talk about technology in the classroom. One fellow said about his school; “we are a school committed to 21st Century learning because in every classroom we have a Smart Board.” I thought to myself, ‘really, that’s 21st Century learning?” Several of the workshops were about the technology itself; guiding teachers in the arts of this new way of the classroom. We have gotten into the act as well. I unveiled an event at the convention that we will be hosting in May which we are calling “The Vancouver Symposium on Christian Education for the 21st Century. The website URL is www.21stcenturyeducators.com.

I am often know as the computer guy, or the digital guy, because of our prolific use of technology in our educational delivery and, well, I wrote a book called, “Discipling this Generation for a Digital World.” But, if you read this book, you would know that I don’t buy into the idea that any and all technology is a good thing. In fact, I believe I would be unfaithful to my role as an educational leader if I didn’t caution you and those who would imbibe every form of technology. Perhaps one the most important authors that I have read in the last ten years were the prophetic writings of the late Dr. Neal Postman. Particularly his cultural critique entitled “Technopoly: the Surrender of Culture to Technology.” Postman held a PhD in Education and was appointed the University Professor for the school of education at the Stienhardt School of Education. He was greatly influenced by Marshall McLuhan, our Canadian academic, who was responsible for the now famous idea, “the medium is the message.” He explains further what he meant by this cliché: "The medium, or process, of our time—electric technology—is reshaping and restructuring patterns of social interdependence and every aspect of our personal life. It is forcing us to reconsider and re-evaluate practically every thought, every action, and every institution formerly taken for granted. Everything is changing: you, your family, your education, your neighbourhood, your job, your government, your relation to 'the others.' And they're changing dramatically." McLuhan also termed the phrase “global village” in response to the forces of globalization. What I find startling about these statements is that he made them in the early 1960’s. Both McLuhan and Postman stand out as academic prophets of the time we know live in, that is, the 21st Century. Postman describes our relationship with technology in such succinct terms. I quote from the introduction of Technopoly:

“…most people believe technology is a staunch friend. There are two reasons for this. First, technology is a friend. It makes life easier, cleaner and longer. Can anyone ask

more of a friend? Second, because of its lengthy, intimate and inevitable relationship with culture, technology does not invite a close examination of its own consequences. It is the kind of friend that asks for trust and obedience, which most people are inclined to give because its gifts are truly bountiful. But, of course, there is a dark side to this friend. Its gifts are not without a heavy cost. Stated in the most dramatic terms, the accusation can be made that the uncontrolled growth of technology destroys the vital sources of our humanity. It creates a culture without a moral foundation. It undermines certain mental processes and social relations that make human life worth living. Technology, in sum, is both friend and enemy.”

It is abundantly clear that technology brings both solutions and dissolutions. As we explore different technologies we have to think deeply about what they are adding but also what they are replacing. We should be asking what does the Smartboard add and take away from the classroom. What will iPads, as they make their way into the classroom add and take away. Those are just the devices we use. What about the deeper cultural transformations that take place because of these technologies such as social networking, blogging, twitter, youtube, facebook, Wikipedia, etc. All of these technologies add and take away.

Last year I read a very interesting novel entitled “One Second After” by William Forstchen. The preface of the book was written by, the house majority leader in the US, Newt Gingrich. The plot was based on the disastrous event of the total loss of electrical power in most of the United States. Nearly every modern electrical device is rendered useless by a series of Elector Magnetic Pulses caused by nuclear warheads detonated the ionosphere. According to Gingrich this was and is a very plausible threat to US security. The book then tells the tale of hundreds of thousands of deaths due to the inability to obtain medications people are dependent upon to live such as insulin, heart pills, etc. This is followed by water shortages, looting, hording, and all out mayhem. As food ran out there was very few people who knew how to forage and hunt for food. There was very little knowledge about how to grow and provide enough to survive. By the end of one year more than half of the population had died. What does this have to do with education, you ask? Well how many leaning technologies have we become dependent upon? Let’s think deeper than just adding cellphones to the classroom. Keep in mind that the chalkboard is a form of technology. In fact the modern idea of school as we have invented it the last 200 years is a type of technology. Certainly we have systematized our process and streamlined our educational systems so that we can educate all of our children in the cheapest and most efficient means possible. We have invented certain types of desks, school textbooks, divided the subjects for efficiency, included bells and schedules and created enclosed spaces such as playgrounds and gyms all to create the modern school. School itself can be thought of as a technology.

Of course we use technology extensively to educate our Online School students. But, in many ways we are using this to go back to the basic place where all children do most of their life learning, the home.

Am I for or against technology? Neither. In fact, I believe, as Christians we have a very unique position and role to play in this battle to preserve or change western culture. If we are following Christ and living out the great commission we march to the beat of a different drummer. We are in the cultural but not of the culture. As Christian’s it is not our role to preserve the culture of this world. We are to bring the message of the Gospel which lifts us from the culture and places us squarely in Christ. We are citizens of His Kingdom and live according to his mandate. Therefore we can use technology to forward the message of the Gospel and build the kingdom of God. Yes we should understand its effects upon the culture but ultimately this is not our concern. We have to be about our Father’s business and we should employ every tool that we can to build the kingdom with. This is not to say that we shouldn’t speak up about the injustices of the world and ultimately be working for the betterment of mankind. But isn’t this the role of the Gospel? I realize that I am going much further than we may intended in our discussion but Postman has that affect on me.

Let me conclude with this thought. Every time we employ a new technology in our lives, the classroom, the home, we must be discerning as to its short and long term benefits and drawbacks. In a PBS interview on January 17, 1996, Postman re-emphasized his solution for technopoly, which was to give students an education in the history, social effects and psychological biases of technology, so they may become adults who “use technology rather than being used by it”.

Next week we will continue this series of podcasts on technologies that can help or possibly hinder the educational process both in the classroom and in the home. Please send in any suggestion or comments for these podcasts. We still have about 500 copies of Discipling this Generation for a Digital World, both in paperback as well as audio mp3. If you will email me at info@thechirstianeducator.org we would love to send you a free copy. Please include your mailing address. Thank you for listening and thank you for your commitment to discipleship-based Christian education.