I was once sitting with a fellow colleague, discussing our disdain for the work habits of a gifted student. During the discussion, he once uttered the phrase "I honestly enjoy learning new things; it doesn't even matter what." These words have always struck me as pertinent. If given the choice of knowledge, why not take it? Aside from the pursuit of knowledge for knowledge's sake I have been learning many things that can be applied to my personal and professional life.
For example, learning about the components of a computer has allowed me to speak with some of more computer savy friends with a sense of equality. Also, aside from the content of the class, the shear workload has helped me work on prioritization skills. Finally, from a personal standpoint, it's sometimes hard to know when you're going to need to know or use something. My brother has been a workout fanatic for years, and whenever people asked him why, he would respond, "For a purpose I'm not quite sure of yet." Last week he became a personal trainer. I'm not trying to say that I'm going to become a computer technician, but it never hurts to know things.
For the purpose of my work as an educator, I have learned a couple of things that are applicable for my job. For example, before this class I never knew how pivotal a role the fans played in the functioning of a computer. For some of our older models, I have often contemplated removing the noisy fans. However, it was not until Dr. Sklar informed me that a computer would only last a couple of hours with such a surgery, that I realized how stupid that would have been. Finally, staying on my theme of preparing for the unknown, my school offers a basic computer class, taught primarily to middle schoolers. As the current teacher is approaching retirement age, upon completion of this class, I'd like to think I'll be somewhat qualified to take his place. Anytime a teacher can be cross-categorical, a school district benefits.
Regardless of the purpose, I feel this class has been very informative, broadening my knowledge of computers; a topic that one can never know too much about in this day and age.
I am kind of in a similar situation. We have a required Computer Lit class for high school students. While the teacher that teaches it now will be with the district for several more years, I might not be. It's one of those courses though, that many districts offer, so I could possibly teach something like it someday.
ReplyDeleteAnd I totally agree with your last comment, that one can never know enough about computers. How can one really know everything about computers? Is it really possible?
Two points you raise in your post really struck me.
ReplyDeleteFirst, you talk about why we learn new things. I remember asking that question as a young learner - it may have been in relation to a math class (as a math teacher, I'm sure you can relate). It seems we come to a greater appreciation of "knowledge for knowledge sake" as we get older. Of course the question then becomes how can we, as educators, instill that appreciation in our students.
The other point I really like is the acknowledgment that in this day and age, we can never know too much about computers. The real trick is keeping up with the fast pace of changes in this area.
I like your comment: "...it never hurts to know things"
ReplyDeleteMy dad told me, they can never take away something you know. A little knowledge gives you a lot of power. In technology it can make you a better user and consumer. Sounds like it will also make you a better teacher.
I appreciate the love of knowledge for its own sake. However, I used to wonder how I would answer students when they asked "When will we use this?" Over the last few years, I have avoided the answer, "When you have a test on it." However, I have been trying to stress the fact that if a person becomes a critical learner and thinker, they then are in the drivers seat, no matter what field they end up in as a career. One of my fellow teachers shared a quote with me recently (he didn't remember who's quote it was), "If I teach you what I know, you become a slave to my knowledge. If I teach you how to think, all knowledge becomes your slave." I think this class is forcing us to think about things we might not have any or limited experience with. This will help us adapt more readily in the future when faced with challenges of the magnitude of this course.
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