Techlearning blog

This has been a tough week for everyone in the United States connected to mainstream media or the blogosphere. The tragedy at Virginia Tech saddens, horrifies, and scares us whether we live in Virginia or not, whether we have family and friends directly impacted by this crime or not. There are many places to read about these events, but as we continue to learn more the evolving WikiPedia article about the Virginia Tech massacre has been a valuable page to watch. The WikiPedia timeline of the massacre provides many events and facts you may have missed in mainstream media coverage. For people at your school who question the value of WikiPedia as an information source, show them this timeline page and make sure they notice the cited "references" (with links) at the bottom of the page.

Amidst the many ideas and emotions this tragedy has triggered for me personally, I have been reminded of a quotation from Paulo Freire. When I was in high school, I remember reading the book "Native Son" by Richard Wright and learning about the determinist or naturalist philosophy he embraced and reflected in his writing. Reading some of the published writing of the Virginia Tech killer this morning, I was reminded of "Native Son." Like Richard Wright, the Virginia Tech gunman (Cho Seung-hui) blamed society for his actions. We should not minimize the limiting and often damaging influence of environments on development and behavior. Contexts of abuse, neglect, poverty and other destructive influences are real and can be crippling.

Yet I refuse to accept the idea we are entirely shaped and defined by our environments. Throughout history, the lives of countless individuals have refuted this pessimistic and helpless worldview. From historical, philosophical, pedagogical, and theological perspectives I continue to believe that our individual choices matter. From that framework, the following words from Paulo Freire in his book, "Teachers as Cultural Workers: Letters to Those Who Dare Teach" are relevant to our current national mood of mourning. Freire wrote on page 69:

"In truth, we are neither only what we inherit nor only what we acquire but, instead, stem from the dynamic relationship between what we inherit and what we acquire."

I read this to mean our roles as teachers, parents, mentors, leaders, and friends make a difference in the world. When we reach out to support each other in times of crisis, we make a difference. When we listen to voices large and small filled with fear, uncertainty and questions, we make a difference.

Some people fear the advances of technology will leave us all increasingly "distanced and distracted." At times like these, however, we see so many examples of technology bringing people together those detractors must surely notice.

The computer is a protean tool, which means it is inherhently flexible. Microsoft has used the slogan "Where do you want to go today?" which embodies this protean nature of microcomputer technologies.

As we grieve, rage, cry out, and question today and in the days to come, let us continue to reach out to each other and listen. Let us remember the decisions we make each day DO make a difference. The words we speak, the images we share, the videos we watch and create together shape our perceptions, our ideas, our attitudes and beliefs. From that foundation and the choices we make each moment flow our actions in life.

Are there young people in your school who are angry? Are there kids who feel isolated? Kids who are victims of bullying? Kids who are bullies themselves? Are there kids who are searching for identify and meaning in life, and kids suffering from depression? Mostly likely, the answer to all these questions is "yes."

We change the world one conversation at a time. Make time today and every day to both listen and share with others. When appropriate, use available technologies to both share supportive connections between people related to this tragegy, and help those around you (as well as yourself) process feelings related to these events. The curriculum will still be there tomorrow. The chance you will have today to make a positive difference in the life of a child because of the TIME YOU INVEST in listening and engaging in nonthreatening dialog may not come again.