It had been a long day of meetings and classroom visits. My work was ending, and I was looking forward to some reflection with my colleagues. My last visitation was with a first grade computer class, and it had been indicated that we should be our own judges on what classes we would visit and how long we would stay.
I’d nearly decided to skip the 1st grade computer class. Primary grades applications of technology have never deeply concerned me. I have to make decisions on what I’m going to pay limited attention to and I’ve never taught primary grades, their chairs hurt my back — and — well — I just don’t like to be hugged around my knees.
Still I decided to walk in on the class, which had already begun. The only available chair was on the far side of the room and as I walked across, dozens of doe eyes starred up at me in giant question marks, their brains flashing, “Stranger Alert! Stranger Alert!” I sat down, and the lesson continued.
Beth Hunter, their teacher and chair of the computer science department, was walking the students through a short Logo program that instructed the Turtle to make a slinky. As she finished the description, without actually running the program, she let the students turn around to their computers and start typing their programs in. It was fun to watch, and I was impressed with their diligence. I didn’t stand up and walk around. I wanted to keep my distance. Plus, standing up from that chair which seemed only three-inches from the floor, would have taken way too much effort.
Then Ms. Hunter said, “Now, click here to see your Turtle run!”
The class then said, in seemingly practiced unison, “Woe!” Moments later, various stragglers said in less unison, “Woe! Woe! Woe!”
Beth asked them to turn again, and started to re-explain the program, based on her students having seen the effect, saying, “Now we typed, ‘To CIR’…”
and suddenly a small boy raised his hand with a blur of motion, jumped up out of his chair, and said, “Mz Hunter? Mz Hunter?”
Beth stopped and called on the boy, who then asked, “Does it have to be CIR? Can we teach the Turtle any word?”
“Yes, it can be any word…”
I can’t say that the boy glowed, but the effect was the same.
I have never seen “wonder” displayed so effectively or so movingly
than what I saw in that little boy’s face.
I saw a brain running away with possibilities!
I saw a future of potentials blossom before his life!
I saw in his eyes,
the clarity of something new and wondrous,
learned and engaged,
and probably to remain a useful nugget of knowledge for the rest of his life,
and lives that he influences in his future.
It’s why we teach!
Image Citation:
Dozo, C.. “Cdozo’s Photostream.” G Raises His Hand to Ask a Question. 29 Mar 2006. 4 Apr 2007 <http://flickr.com/photos/cdozo/119694298/>.
David,
While I understand that we cannot all be into everything ( example your recent discussion re social networking) – I am surprised that you have expressed those views about Primary/Elementary education, and also a little disappointed ( I believe it is the best group to teach as they lack the cynicism and ‘know it all-ness’ of High School students – they pick up new skills quickly and keenly – also they are so enthusiastic when they are given the opportunity to use it ). Yes the chairs are small and uncomfortable – but the kids eyes light up like magic when they ‘get it’.
I am sure that this age range are also the most active on Classblogmeister ( such as the Voyagers in NZ, several Kindergartens/Elementary schools in US and my own keen bloggers from UK. – who now even blog from home).
Every new piece of web 2.0 tech I show my kids they love and try their best to use – and most days we have those moments which reaffirm why I came into teaching myself 18 years ago… Please don’t dismiss us too lightly.
And … that wonder and moments of getting it are why I, personally, cannot thank you enough David for creating classblogmeister. It allows the wonderful little people I am lucky enough to spend the day with to blog in a safe way, to experience conversations with others they normally would not, and allows any interested party a window into ur daily world. Thank you for your ongoing wonder and honesty.
Well said Jody – the world can come into your classroom and small people become world citizens – thank you David : )
This reminds me of my past few years in my computer lab. However, I’ve given up my computer lab for the vast educational experiences K-12. The wonder is truely why we do what we do.
Thanks, David.
Way to go Mz. Hunter, wherever you are! This is a great reminder for all of us- Kindergarten or High School. Perhaps its not so much the students that need to change, but rather the teacher….just let go! Then hang on!
I am definitely an Elementary-geared educator. There’s nothing better than when a child goes from the deer-in-the-headlight look to WOW! I get it! It has happened several times for me in the last two weeks as my students work on a long-term project. I’ve been getting the WOE! and Hey! I didn’t know it could do that! What’s been better is when it has come from the students teaching the students! It doesn’t get any better than that.
Hi David —
The wonder is so worth teaching for.
Your sentiment seems to be common around the blogosphere — and I and others really hope to dispel the belief that the “good” use of technology is with the upper grades…….gins, cuz it is NOT.
I feel that our little ones — PreK – 3 seem to get passed over as insignificant non-users and the real “news worthy” projects that are mentioned are the older grades. Sure, I loved Flat Classroom and what Darren K is doing with his math students just astounds me (I am finally learning math!) But our little kids are wowing the world too.
If you haven’t seen it yet — check out Kathy Shield’s Kindergarteners who are podcasting at http://kinderteacher.podomatic.com/ –
and she is just the tip of the iceberg.
I’d write more — luckily for you — I am late to work!!!
Just take the time to walk into more “younger grades!” You will be glad that you did.
Jen
ps — I am so tempted now to hire a kindergartner to hug your knees at NECC now. 🙂
David,
In my experience, Logo is one of the great applications of computers in education… perhaps the greatest. It is sobering that kids were able to experience that lesson more than twenty years ago. Contrast that moment, that learning experience, that cognitive development with what passed for educational technology over the past decade… teaching word and excel is embarrassingly trivial in comparison. Even the most rigorous and reflective blogging doesn’t compare. Now, kids blogging about their programming in logo? That’d be cool.
-Mark
David, you eloquently captured those wondrous moments we experienced in that classroom. They will long be remembered. Thank you for sharing them with others.
-Barry
David,
I appreciate your contributions to educators in the form of your blog, classroom blogmeister, speaking engagements etc. I began my teaching career in an independant school near Cleveland Ohio and at the time taught science and computer. This was 1983. I was fascinated by Seymour Papert and Lego/Logo. I have often thought that that because of my experiences with Lego Logo I have never been so energized by using computer in education UNTIL, the applications that I am finding in the Web 2.0 world. I want to share, evangelize, and indoctrinate teachers once again, but this time it has appeal for everyone
I found your post when I was checking to see who is using my photos. I like your post and the use of my photograph.
What is also cool for me is that I’m 51, and I remember having that “ah ha!” moment that you are talking about when I took my first computer class long ago.
Thanks for using my photograph and giving me credit. 🙂