I’m a big fan of technology. I love how it enables us to connect anywhere in the world with just a few clicks, no long plane or boat trips, no waiting for letters to be returned, no not being able to talk to people just because they weren’t within walking or driving distance. No, now we’re able to connect with anyone anywhere. It’s also made some really big strides for helping to educate the world. All you need is to have an internet connection and you can order a book or learn online.
It’s also great for distracting kids, making dinner and sick days. But kids don’t need any more of that not-involved parenting than they already get. Over the years we’ve gotten busier, some of us because we have to work multiple jobs to care for our kids or make ends meet, so we leave parenting to Dora, the schools and babysitters and hope for the best. As much as technology can do amazing things to teach kids the important things in life, there’s nothing that can replace a person’s involvement in that education.
Teachers can bring something to the table that is really important and something that I see missing in many businesses and families: human interaction. The fact is that no matter what you’re selling you’re selling to a person and no matter what you’re teaching you’re teaching to a person. It’s the way it is since we’re a world of people not faceless, emotionless machines. No, we’re real and need that human interaction to really be human. A book can’t celebrate your success in learning a concept, a computer program can’t teach you how to truly problem solve in the real world, a robot can’t give you the hug you need after skinning your knee. No, only people working with people can do these things.
Are you making time for people or just technology? Take time to get a real perspective on your passions, time and activities this week and think about if it’s taking you where you truly want to go.
“Technology is just a tool. In terms of getting the kids working together and motivating them, the teacher is the most important.”
Bill Gates
Laura Dickey 