EdView: The Deification of iDevices
Is the iPad the answer? Will the Motorola Xoom be Android’s answer to the iPad? Some teachers and tech educators have been searching, and searching, and searching for years for that one piece of tech- the one device that will transform the way that we do everything in the classroom (mostly so they can learn it first and then teach us all how to use it). All that is missing is the Leonard Nimoy voice over. They’re searching for the answer.
I love the iPad. I’m an advocate for mobile learning. I contribute to the IEAR.org podcast. But whenever you hear people starting to say: “I’ve found the answer.” or “this is the solution,” you have to be leery. You can almost hear the hallelujahs under their breath.The iPad is almost one year old. People are betting their entire careers on the mobile learning device. The iPad, a technology that is still almost embryonic- is being deified as the learning device to rule them all. The answer.
It’s a snazzy device, and the “Apple” looks mighty tasty to Adam in the Garden.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. We are still years away from the robot teacher. An iPad is nothing without a good teacher, who understands the learning process, and how to properly weave the device within a strong curricula.
“You want answers?”
An answer is the end. An answer is a closed door. If you’ve found the answer- then there is no need to look any further. Google the words “solution” and “”PC” and how many bland, unimaginative companies and company logos will you see? Too many. There must be a lot of people that are looking for answers from their devices. Plus, if you believe the iPad is the solution to engaged and blended learning, what do you make of the teacher, swiss cheese? The way we talk about our devices says a lot about who we are, and what kind of educators we claim to be.
It’s a darned good device, don’t get me wrong, but the iPad is not the answer, and it should never be the answer. Because if it is, then we have failed.
The iPad is an idea.
Ideas beget ideas.
Ideas grow.
Ideas need curating. Ideas need culturing. Ideas need facilitation. Ideas need…teachers.
The number 3 is an answer to 2 + 1. But 2 +1 is the idea. You can Google 2 + 1 and get an answer. In fact, you can Google anything you want, because Google has lots of answers. Google is an answer machine. When you’ve Googled, you move on to the next thing. You don’t need a teacher for answers anymore. Knowledge isn’t worth anything anymore. You need a teacher to help students create ideas.
The iPad is an idea platform: multiple possibilities, multiple platforms for creativity, multiple ways to share those ideas: movies, math, science, language- limitless possibilities.
But the iPad doesn’t come with the Awesome Teacher App. For that, we’re going to have to go back to our teacher colleges and our unions, and see what they can do to improve that experience.
“An idea is a greater monument than a cathedral.”
My view is answers lead to dead ends. Answers lead to closed books. The SAT and most state tests want answers. They don’t ask students for their best ideas. And that’s just sad.
Sometimes we do need answers. Thank Google for that.But I’ll take an idea any day.
Tell me- what are you searching for?
Image credit: Jamais Cascio on Flickr Block Quotes: Inherit the Wind (1960)
