Why Technology?

As an educator in the field of technology, I ponder what is worth teaching in this ever-changing aspect of modern life. We all know that the next and greatest new must have technology is just around the corner, with yet another learning curve. I don't have the answers, but I choose to focus on two GLOs (General Learner Outcomes - Hawaii DOE acronym): effective communicator and self directed learner. I'm not sure just how to best "teach" these attributes, but these skills are the focus in my classroom. What good is our technolgy tool if it isolates and creates robotic interactions? And, with technology immersion, how would I keep up with my small niche interest, if I didn't persue constant upgrade knowledge and inspiration? I hope my students share their own self directed learning, of their own unique niche interest. This act of sharing between and among students and teacher in the classroom keeps me engaged and inspired.

How to make an animated gif using Fireworks CS4

El Dia de los Muertos

As I was beginning to prepare this post, a beautiful production on Hawaii PBS asked for my entire attention.  The production was an exchange with poet W.S. Merwin.  A few lingering words, that remain thoughts for me:

Merwin: "I'd rather be putting life back into the earth rather than taking life from it." (as the camera pans  his wife and him in their prolific garden)

Wife Paula: "He needs wide margins." (in reference to solitude and existing in places for creative spaces)

October Palette:

Godmother's Visit

October Palette

Beautiful Work and the Mundanity of Excellence

A favorite hero at High Tech High is teacher Ron Berger, and author of The Ethic of Excellence.  The value of creating beautiful work is instilled and commanded in his classroom.  Producing quality work is a process.  Work is not to be rushed and completed as a means to check off "done" on the "to do list".  If we are not instilling this value of appreciation for the process in our children, we are failing to educate them.  And... failure too is part of the process.  Beauty and quality are reflections of our humanity successes.  True beauty and quality require the essence of love: love and passion.  It is this passion that pushes us through the details, that keeps us alive during the mundanity of the process as we create that best possible product.

(1) 20th century + (1) 21st century = (2) innovative visionary engineers

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/technology/2011/10/steve-jobs-apple-logo-re-imagined-to-pay-tribute/ - source for Apple logo

http://disney-clipart.com/Halloween/Mickey/Halloween-Minnie-Mouse-Witch.php - source for Minnie image