Comments on: Blind Men, Elephants, and Cognitive Tools

By: Perry Pals

Perry Pals — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 21:15:47 +0000

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By: pwoessner

pwoessner — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:52:23 +0000

Carl–

Thanks for the kind words and thought-provoking comment; you are far better with analogies than me! I completely agree that the use of old metrics to measure new literacy skills in a 1:1 environment is a flawed approach. I’m currently in the process of defining/articulating these skills/literacies for our students; not an easy task but an important step toward developing a shared understanding of curriculum and instruction and by extension, teaching and learning.

By: Carl Anderson

Carl Anderson — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 07:55:08 +0000

I love the analogy you draw with the elephant parable. The problem I found was raised (or at least I kept thinking about as I read it) in Weston & Bain’s work was the the metric used to measure success of 1:1 programs. To use your analogy, it is like assessing the quality of the elephant’s leg by touching it’s trunk.

Introducing technology in any human endeavor (education included) has a nearly chemical effect. It changes the endeavor in fundamental ways, ways that include not only process but also destination. Introducing 1:1 programs in schools will change what needs to be assessed. This is because these are information technologies and information technologies produce new literacies and thus a need for new literacy skills. This has always been the case from one degree to another. The studies done on 1:1 programs use an old metric that doesn’t reflect the literacy skills 1:1 programs (or any level of technology integration) teach students. To use another analogy, it is like measuring the success of Columbus’ 1492 voyage by how well he accomplished his goal of finding a shorter route to India.

By: pwoessner

pwoessner — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 23:56:20 +0000

Thanks, Michael, for your kind words and insight. I agree that this is an exciting, demanding, and gratifying time to be an educator, and that understanding the nature of learning should be a goal for all of us.

I hope the intent of my elephant analogy/metaphor came through regarding how we often fail to see the big picture because we get so wrapped up in the limited focus of our respective roles. Anything/everything we do should circle back into our shared understanding of teaching and learning…but for that to happen we need a clear vision that is understand by all in the community. Developing that is no easy task, but I do believe it can be done if we make it a priority to try…

By: Michael Ebeling

Michael Ebeling — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 04:36:10 +0000

Right on the mark, Patrick. The cornerstone of our work as teachers is formed by our understanding of teaching and learning. I’m intrigued by Weston and Bain’s six distinct components, and your post has inspired me to give “The End of the Techno-Critique” a carefully considered read.

One further thought. As educators, I believe we must become much more informed leaders (speakers, readers, writers and presenters) on the nature of learning–everything from how memory works to current research on the neurology of learning.

There has never been, in my lifetime, a more exciting, demanding or gratifying time to be an educator. Your blog posts are proof of that.

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Fri, 01 Jan 2010 08:41:03 +0000

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