Relational Technology

As I listened to Greg Bitgood's podcast I connected most with these three statements:

• What technology really does though is it extends ourselves into larger spaces much more efficiently and quickly... They extend our influence, experiences and ultimately our relationships.

•  Does your class move through virtual space as well as physical? Do you help your students nurture a virtual persona? Do they publish online? Do they tweet? Do they Skype? Does each have a profile page representing their current learning? Do they answer questions from other students in other schools, and ask their own questions in turn?

•  Let’s forever cast away the idea that technology hinders or prevents “real” relationships. 

Just this morning I have had the opportunity to   confront, in love, an online student who has all year avoided the work, ignored my invitations for relationship and defied her mother’s tears.  We worked through presumption (you owe me a pass), manipulation (my mother is crying), and got all the way to the student taking initiative (if I.. would you consider...?).That's relational technology!

Then I  read yet another Socials 5 assignment where students were asked to compare technology today and interview their grandparents about technology of their day. Without fail, the older generation sees technology as limiting relationship... despite the fact that many of  their grandchildren have relationship with them, with teachers, with other students around the globe through technology!  Talk about a myth that needs to be exposed! 

Every day I use technology to extend my teaching world to Brazil, China and Horsefly BC!  Everyday our students have the opportunity to use technology through our online library, through various resources to be taught by teachers (through videos, links, webinars. Let's enter that space with them and learn together!http://www.thechristianeducator.org/content/view/189/27/