Toys, Tools, and Teachers (TTT) presents the three-way tug-of-war between the elements itemized in the title and the technology arena. The three elements represent three different perspectives, needs, and valuations of technology. Keeping these three differing paradigms in balance is the challenge investigated by the authors. However my question is: Will future technological innovations reduce the playing field from three to just two by eliminating ‘Teachers’ altogether. In other words, will technology eliminate the specialized role of ‘teacher’ by enabling families or even individuals to guide their own education? Two reasons for this question are hinted at by the authors’ own conclusive remarks.
First, technology allows for ‘individualized’ learning (p156). As processing speeds enable human brain-power simulation, will computers themselves become the creators of customized curriculum and its presentation? Computer generated Avatars with synthesized voices can present a body of knowledge in a programmed manner best suited to individual needs. And the interface may just be more interesting than the traditional brick and mortar setting.
Second, the authors of TTT acknowledge that “Students are ahead of the game, and they will be the catalysts for meaningful integration of technology in their education if we just watch and listen to them” (p158). Hmm… so students are ahead of teachers. Students are the catalysts for integration, not teachers. Teachers only need watch and listen. What if we just substitute “teachers” for “war” in this well-known lyric, “War, what is it good for, absolutely Nothing!”
Still not a believer? Consider this question posed by Chris Dede, professor of Learning Technologies at Harvard Graduate School of Education, “If civilization were to invent higher education today, rather than centuries ago, would we create campuses as they now exist, dominated by lecture rooms, libraries, and labs, with learning centered in fixed time blocks?” (Dede, 2005). It seems even the most educated realize the writing is on the wall.
But don’t despair. Prepare! Visionize the young minds that cross your path. Not all technology need become a weapon of mass destruction.
