Ted Talks- Lesson 7

Ted Talks: Kevin Kelly tells technology's epic story
As part of this week’s assignment I watched a Ted Talks video on Twitter. I watched the one in which Kevin Kelly tell technology’s epic story. Although I would not show the entire clip as part of a pro.d. activity, there are defiantly parts of the video presentation that would be beneficial, to include in a presentation on technology.

First of all I was shocked to find out that the work technology was first used in 1829. Alan Kay’s definition of technology is an appropriate one to use with teachers: “Anything invented after you were born.”
Kelly describes a Precautionary Position in which people believe that one should stop using technology until it leads to no harm. This was interesting to me as this is the exact position that I have adapted when it comes to Face Book. Unfortunately, when it comes to teaching, I am not the only educator who follows this Position. Kelly suggests that we should adapt a Proactive Position instead. We need to engage, try out and constantly asses new technologies. He suggests the following steps:
1. Anticipate
2. External Assessment
3. Prioritize Risks
4. Restitution of harm
5. Relocation
In order to illustrate his point he provides several examples of bad technology than can be used in good ways. For example, nuclear fission is used in a ‘bad” way to create bombs, but a ‘good” use of nuclear fission would be to relocate it as a sustainable nuclear energy to perhaps replace coal. One needs to find a new job for the new technology.

I must constantly remind myself, and perhaps other teachers that “ Technology gives us progress.”

Thus, I signed into Face Book with a new frame of mind. As suggested in this unit I searched for School Libraries and actually looked at two pages: BC Coalition for School Libraries and School Libraries Matter. Although there were not many discussions posted, it did give me a new outlook on Face Book.

I also thought of a Proactive Position of Face Book used by one of my staff members. The Aboriginal Educational Coordinator uses Face Book to keep track of her students and what they are doing. She says that she also stays in contact with parents via Face Book. Although this is not a School Library application, it is a positive way that an Educator uses social networking.

As in my case, I am slowly changing my views and am starting to give Face Book more of an honest attempt.