School, Education, Work, Life… It’s changing for us all.
But as we delve into what is commonly, and with unashamed repetition, being referenced as the “new norm”, it is important to sometimes take a step back to gather our thoughts.
Home Schooling:
By now, we have heard (and felt!) the pain. The strains of parents trying to hold down jobs whilst practising algebra online with their children. More a case of a Clash of the Titans than a unifying experience for the good of educating the young.
So, what happens next?
As we learn to accept technology as a necessary part of our children’s education going forward, we must also accept that Zooming, Google Meeting and Microsoft Teaming are here to stay…
BUT, I have a much deeper question for you all – one that will hit at the very heart of many of us…
Is the age of the exercise book dead?
As we line up our text boxes to fit answers into Zoom space, and chat boxes become the new notepads.
Is there really a need to turn paper, draw margins and use a compass for pie charts?
I used to relish finishing my workbook in school, starting a fresh term with a shiny new exercise book for my subjects. It is only recently that I have realised my handwriting has become abysmal (some say it has always been so!).
I type at every available opportunity – where once my notepad, pencil and eraser would be my trusty friends! The irony is far from lost on me as I write this article…
Where we can spellcheck, we need no eraser.
Where we can set a margin, we need no rulers.
Where we diarise, we input.
iPads and tablets are now provided in many schools as a means by which to take notes.
I pads – I think and therefore I am – sure are the way forward in classrooms:
It has not taken a pandemic to change this – only to advance by about 5 years our technological prowess. Both at school, at home and at work, our desire to become a whizz online will not leave us.
So reach for your keypad … the keypad is the new Silvine exercise book (for those of you old enough to remember).
Share this post
Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn
Share on email
Email
Leave a Reply