Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Computers for Dummies!
I must admit that my computer skills are definitely not up to par and this showed today during our e-portfolio tutorial. Way back in high school, my only computer experience was typing class with the green screened computers. My said skills consist of emails and surfing the internet. So it was with this background that i entered the computer lab, hell bent on trying to understand and conquer my 'phobia' of computers. Did I succeed? Yeah....no! I left the tutorial feeling a little bit overwhelmed to be honest, but not deflated. Seeing that computers are such an integral component of today's society and more importantly, our education system, it is so important that I take the bull by the horns and conquer the flat screen. Plus, I wouldn't want the students to figure out my illiteracy when it comes to computers because that would just give them more ammunition than they might already have.
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2 comments:
I may have some advice to give you since I have had some experience with that problem myself.
When I was in high school (twenty years ago...Oh, my God!), the computers were few and always used by ugly-looking geeks with no people skills. When you tried to ask them for help, they would like at you as if you were something the cat has brought in....I left High School and then university with very few computer skills. However, my first job was with IBM. I think that I did it on purpose: I wanted to have access to computers and what better way than to go to a company that sells them? It was a good idea. I become quickly acquainted with them and realized it was not so difficult. Moreover, I also understood that when it's too difficult, it's not because you are stupid but because the program is not convivial enough.
So, my advice would be: when in front of a computer, remember that
1. It's a machine. It is not clever, it's just doing what it has been programmed to do.
2. You are the customer and the computer role is to meet your needs. It must adapt to you not the other way around.
3. Don't try to compare yourself with others, especially teenagers! They spend hours on their machines, no wonder they are better than you are. Moreover, they know it. You just have to accept it and refuse to compete with them. Ask for their help, they will be glad and proud to provide it!
Last but not least, don't feel bad about your computer skills. Think of a computer as a phone. It's useful but you don't need to know how it works and if they are some buttons you don't know the use of, who cares?
Sylvie - great advice! Technologies is that one area of youth culture that, for the first time in history, they know more or are more capable than we are.
Although it is important to continue to learn about technology and integrate it (or encourage its use in your courses) you do not need to be more capable than your students.
Where they really need your guidance is in asking the more critical questions like 'how do we represent ourselves?' 'how global is technology? 'does the one laptop per child improve developing countries learning or just give them more access to an American cultural view point?' 'what about e-waste?' etc.
So keep plugging away but be patient with yourself and focus on the strengths that you bring to issues around technology!
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