Interactive Whiteboard - You're Fired!


      As an early riser, even at weekends, I often  prepare school work as the dawn breaks. It's guilt free - you're not using precious family time- and it's so deliciously quiet.  Early morning brings a clear head which makes it a good time for inspiration.
      Recently working on a new flip chart for the week ahead and trawling the nether regions of my brain for creative and attention holding presentation ideas, I was struck by the question 'Will the interactive whiteboard become redundant?'
     Now there's a thought that would strike fear and loathing into the hearts of many.  Think of the financial investment.  The re-training that was required.  The resources that have been used.  And oh! The time.
     But surely their demise must be on the cards?
    I would wager the downward trajectory will be evident within the next five years.
    Why?
    Personal Learning Devices (PLD) will take over.
    Taking our cue from the ideas of Sir Ken Robinson  we know that schools no longer need to be organised on the lines of industrial revolution era factories, producing batches of children who have undergone a one size fits all process.  The paradigms are now changing.  Each and every student can have an IEP that is fluid, responsive to change and accessible from all places and at all times.
    As a rookie in the educational technology area I am alternately terrified and exhilerated at the possibilities.  The creativity, the choice, the possibilities, the work, the pace of change.... it's enough to keep you awake at night.  Or get you up early in the morning!
   To date we teachers have used a well defined library of information and resources, not easily accessed by others.  It gave us a kind of mystique, there was a certain awe about our vocations.
   Now it is a global library and the teacher's knowledge of it, or ability to acquire knowledge, is no greater than anyone else.  The tools of our trade have indeed gone global.
   And the PLD, providing individual access to that library makes the IWB, an exclusive teacher tool, redundant.
   Of course, there are alternatives for teachers and schools.  Make little or no change, delay the change, fight it with apathy or worse. That would be to deny students a twenty first century education, the kind they need.
   We will continue to  inspire, guide and create. The aesthetic and social character of education will still be moulded by the personalities of teachers.   And we will learn alongside our students.
   Education will finally be democratised.

                         Work?  Like that ?  No thanks!  

 True story.  Six year old is awaiting collection by her mum.  Who is late.  Again.  The last child but her has left the classroom and her mouth is slowly but assuredly beginning a downward trajectory.  Her big brown eyes are beginning to fill and I know at any moment the flood gates could open.  And she's good at that.  Real good.
   'So!' I say cheerfully. 'Let's tidy.  I'll pick up paper for recycling, you look for stray pencils.'
   Being last one standing in the class is something that is enjoyed by a lot of children.  And they love to help. Usually.
   She looks at me, her face ranging from an initial thoughtfulness to an puzzled disdainfulness.
   'I', she declared with royal confidence, 'don't do work like that.'
    Did I laugh?  Did I scold?  Did I coerce?  No.
    I crumbled.  I had an existential crisis.
   How I wished my mum had taught me to say that.
    How I wish I could teach myself to say that.  But as teacher, mum, blogger, etc I can't say no.
    Ceiling needs painting?  I'll do it!
    Kitchen needs cleaning?  I'll get up early and do it.  Yes, before work.
    Extended family looking a little disjointed?  I'll have a party!
    At six, she has life skills I will never possess.  She knows where she's headed and it's not the kitchen after a day's work.
    She will fulfill her potential but I will not.  I have to hoover.  And hoovering is easier.
    I now find myself viewing every new and old acquaintance and female friend with a new curiousity.
    Do they or do they not do work like that?
    The better half calls them the 'don't touch me!'  women.  He prefers me.  He says.
    But I'm left with a certain envy because I've a funny feeling that this is one of the great divides of the female world.  
    Those who do and those who don't do work like that!