Thursday, May 24, 2007

Okay, so I finally found it

Yes, I want to do something about the technology gap between teachers and students. I'm thinking about opening with the following lines from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

MR. TURKENTINE: I shall need an assistant.  Come and give me
a hand.
(Charlie joins him at the front.)
We have here nitric acid, glycerin, and a special mixture of
my own. Together it's horrible, dangerous stuff; blows you
up. But mixed together in the right way, as only I know
how, what do you think it makes?

CHARLIE: I don't know, sir.

MR. TURKENTINE: Of course you don't know. You don't know
because only I know. If you knew and I didn't know, then
you'd be teaching me instead of me teaching you. And for a
student to teach his teacher is presumptuous and rude. Do
I make myself clear?
Why am I starting with this? Mainly because it shows what is held as the traditional role between teachers and students, which may come into question and flux as new technologies emerge and the older generation gets farther and farther behind. Particularly, my paper is likely to focus on such things as the online community, blogs, wikis, etc. So, that's a start anyway.

Thanks for noticing.

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