Boat or Bandwagon?

Tony Bates’ blog, which is a class resource for PIDP3240, has a posting on forecasts for online education.  In it is a chart that is meant to speak to the development of massive open online courses (MOOCs), and the course Tony predicts they’ll run over the next few years.

The technology hype cycle: from www.tonybates.ca

I can’t help but see myself in this graph.  Perhaps I’ve skipped the “peak of inflated expectations” altogether, and am starting instead in the trough of disillusionment about using social media and piles of technology in the classroom.  I clearly need some enlightenment to get me to a more productive plane.

I suppose I like my classes the way they are, in many respects, and would introduce only the tools I deem most useful or applicable (using course objectives as a reference point), rather than the most popular or trendy.   If a web tool or social media platform can be used to foster curiosity, reflection, and/or peer/self-directed learning about the natural world, I am game.  If these ends can be equally met in the classroom or a field outing, I will chose the unplugged version most of the time. 

 

Why?  Because I believe that first-hand observation and experience are two of the greatest learning tools when it comes to science and biology.  Let the students type and be screen-bound in their other classes.  Let them see, touch, smell, experiment, explore, and create in mine!

I feel that I am tremendously fortunate to teach sciences, because it lends itself so well to experiential learning.  

 

But like I said before: maybe Tony's got it right.  I just need a little enlightenment to find a way to reconcile my teaching philosophy and strategies to this trend in education delivery.  I'm hoping to find a happy, productive middle-ground on this one.

 

"If you see a bandwagon, it's too late." - James Goldsmith

 

I don't mind missing a bandwagon, but I'd hate to miss the boat.