These are some of my postings on this topic:
Posted Date: September 17, 2012 8:28 PM
Brendan,
You make an interesting point about about blaming the car for the way it is being driven. I believe it is essential to have a clear idea of what we want to accomplish with technology when we use it. A good road trip needs: a destination, an accurate map, a good driver, a sound car, some friendly and engaging passengers, and a way to know when you have arrived. I think is is what we bring and need to coordinate as teachers. Thanks for the post, couldn’t agree with you more!
Don
Posted Date: September 16, 2012 7:44 PM
Hi All,
As we maddenly search for the correct “Definition of Technology” or “Philosophy of Technology”, I thought you might enjoy some comic insight. Just click on the word spaghetti.
Don
Posted Date: September 16, 2012 7:24 PM
Anne,
I couldn’t agree more. Space, quiet areas, good lighting, plants, floors paces, and open pathways are as important as all the things that stimulate learning. There is an optimum level of arousel for student which depends on the activity and the time of day. Hitting the balance is pretty important for all students. Thanks for the post.
Don
Posted Date: September 15, 2012 9:42 AM
As I started reading The Question Concerning Technology I was almost immediately reminded of the other day when I heard someone begin a conversation by saying, “I don’t mean to be rude but… followed by a pretty offensive comment. Sometimes a person announces their intent by proclaiming the exact opposite. And so I quickly found myself lost in an article about isolated sentences and topics despite Heidegger’s warning to “pay heed to the way” (Heidegger, 1953/1977, p.3) The black forest never seemed so black. Oh Heidegger, “but where have we strayed to?” (p. 12)
I started looking for landmarks to help me find my way. They were there; I just had to look past some of the undergrowth. This is what I think I found, espoused by Heidegger and exemplified by Knowlton (1992), Adams (2008), and Tufte (2003).
- Philosophy is questioning, This questioning builds a way of thinking.
- Critical questioning brings us closer to understanding the nature of technology and our relationship with it.
- The true nature of technology is not technological.
- Technology is not neutral.
- Understanding technology requires more than figuring out the gadgets and gizmos. Technology affects and depends upon everything else. These relationships are interactive, co-dependent, and co-responsible.
- We must carefully examine our role in technology and remember that our thoughts about technology can help us understand it as well as get in the way of our understanding it.
I did find Adams’s assertion that “The architectures of modern educational institutions carry the ideological assumptions that informed their design.” (Adams, 2008, p.293) particularly interesting. My Kindergarten classroom is very carefully constructed to reflect what I believe about teaching and learning. Good design encourages and stimulates learning. Children need to learn, play and have fun and, quite literally, setting the stage is critical to the performance.
Finally, in response to the question “What is the philosophy of technology?”, I have edited Kaplan’s 2004 definition to define my own. Philosophy of technology is a critical, reflective examination of the nature of technology as well as the effects and transformation of technologies in human knowledge, activities, societies and environments.” I thank the “78 Reasonable Questions to Ask about Any Technology” for reminding me that technology impacts and transforms the whole of life, not just the life of humans.
Posted Date: September 15, 2012 9:39 AM
Catherine,
Nicely put. Dad philosophy. My dad had the same outlook and I agree that he would have been talking about the tools in his tool chest. I also think he would have been taking about doing something active. My dad was not one to sit around to ponder. Think about fixing the roof will not fix it! Maybe I have inherited this trait because, rather than developing a definition or statement of belief about the philospohy or technology, I find my self thinking about it as an ongoing activity. Dad would be proud!
Don