Boys and Technology National Conference - Monday 30th and Tuesday 31st of August 2010
Our first day began at 6:30 am from Pakenham McDonalds. Two key students were wide awake and waiting to take the long drive towards St. Kilda Novoltel Hotel. To my surprise, expecting the Monash car park to delay us, we arrived half an hour before the scheduled registration time of 8:00 AM. The coffee machines were hard at work already, especially as I became enthralled at the technology of little flying-saucer-kind-of-sachets that you insert into an orifice and then after the press of a button your coffee is ready. We moved into our first Keynote assembly of round tables and glasses of water and containers with minties. We sat down and wondered if any more students would turn up. Eventually we saw a few which made up a list of about 20.
After some housekeeping Andrew Douch was introduced and he set up his MacBook to display a very interesting and enthralling “keynote” slide show. His enthusiasm was captivating and down to earth attitude was accepting. I was concerned that he gave too many examples about his own merits but there was an aim behind all this; what kids want from education.
Demand for Connectedness
Andrew had his first encounter with the internet in 1990, when everything was just text on a html page. Having no prior knowledge and having taught for a number of years he began experimenting with podcasts in order to connect with his Biology class. He posted his class up on iTunes so that his students could access it easily. He could not believe what would happen later. It was downloaded 22,000 times in the first few days and became the top hit in iTunes Podcast. He now has the best Biology podcasts available in iTunes.
He shows off some of the slides that his students made for him as he left his class.
Demotion of left Brain Skills
He then displays a picture of a brain with right side and left side and what basically each side is dedicated to. He feels that most of the left side has been overtaken with automation and industrial machines, leaving no room for further expansion. He calls the right side - the New Differentiation of Success.
We are still thinking in industrial revolutionary termsOur schools run the same way.The right brain activities cannot be reproduced by machines. (Art, Design, Dance, Nursing, Counselling).
Our first day began at 6:30 am from Pakenham McDonalds. Two key students were wide awake and waiting to take the long drive towards St. Kilda Novoltel Hotel. To my surprise, expecting the Monash car park to delay us, we arrived half an hour before the scheduled registration time of 8:00 AM. The coffee machines were hard at work already, especially as I became enthralled at the technology of little flying-saucer-kind-of-sachets that you insert into an orifice and then after the press of a button your coffee is ready. We moved into our first Keynote assembly of round tables and glasses of water and containers with minties. We sat down and wondered if any more students would turn up. Eventually we saw a few which made up a list of about 20.
After some housekeeping Andrew Douch was introduced and he set up his MacBook to display a very interesting and enthralling “keynote” slide show. His enthusiasm was captivating and down to earth attitude was accepting. I was concerned that he gave too many examples about his own merits but there was an aim behind all this; what kids want from education.
Demand for Connectedness
Andrew had his first encounter with the internet in 1990, when everything was just text on a html page. Having no prior knowledge and having taught for a number of years he began experimenting with podcasts in order to connect with his Biology class. He posted his class up on iTunes so that his students could access it easily. He could not believe what would happen later. It was downloaded 22,000 times in the first few days and became the top hit in iTunes Podcast. He now has the best Biology podcasts available in iTunes.
He shows off some of the slides that his students made for him as he left his class.
Demotion of left Brain Skills
He then displays a picture of a brain with right side and left side and what basically each side is dedicated to. He feels that most of the left side has been overtaken with automation and industrial machines, leaving no room for further expansion. He calls the right side - the New Differentiation of Success.
We are still thinking in industrial revolutionary termsOur schools run the same way.The right brain activities cannot be reproduced by machines. (Art, Design, Dance, Nursing, Counselling).
Democratisation of Information
Years ago a Librarian could outwit a 14 year old at finding information. Nowadays that role is reversed. Andrew gives the example of Radiohead giving away one of their songs for a minimal amount of money, bypassing the EMI label. They turned over much more than if they had gone with the EMI label. The point is that blocking content will not stop kids getting through. It is necessary to teach the kids morals and values. “Education is like a river” in order to cross it, teachers should be guiding students where to go and where not to go. - Educate - not block. Blocking content is not working.
Despecifation of hours
Henry Ford determined 40 hour shift for his workers. He sacked “smiley” because he enjoyed a laugh. Work is not to be enjoyed. Andrew explained that his son learns more at home than at school. He does amazing things on his Mac that he doesn’t do at school. Sounds familiar?
Years ago a Librarian could outwit a 14 year old at finding information. Nowadays that role is reversed. Andrew gives the example of Radiohead giving away one of their songs for a minimal amount of money, bypassing the EMI label. They turned over much more than if they had gone with the EMI label. The point is that blocking content will not stop kids getting through. It is necessary to teach the kids morals and values. “Education is like a river” in order to cross it, teachers should be guiding students where to go and where not to go. - Educate - not block. Blocking content is not working.
Despecifation of hours
Henry Ford determined 40 hour shift for his workers. He sacked “smiley” because he enjoyed a laugh. Work is not to be enjoyed. Andrew explained that his son learns more at home than at school. He does amazing things on his Mac that he doesn’t do at school. Sounds familiar?
