I'm in several online classes this summer, and last night in our closing session for Information Needs of Children, we discussed the media available to children aside from books. We covered DVDs and their tendency toward more interactive options, smart boards in the classroom, and computers and the Internet in general.
One of my classmates predicted that in the not-so-distant future college would primarily exist as a collection of online classes. I found this a very depressing thought. Granted, I am working through a fully online program for Library Science, but that is only because it allows me to work full time and live here in Jacksonville. I prefer classroom interaction. I like the dynamic of a teacher in front of me and the other students taking notes and participating live in class. I think I'm becoming part of the minority. I love technology and all the options it affords, but I also like people. I think one of the most important things we need to learn is how to interact with people in all different settings. That can't be taught solely online, and I learned as much about human interaction in college as I did K-12.
I'm not scared of technology because it's confusing or difficult, but I'm a little scared of the amount of personal interaction it removes from life in general. And I think it makes people forget how to treat each other face to face, especially children.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment