The Clash of Medieval Methods in a Modern World

This cartoon is a clear illustration of the disconnect between many teachers and the world of technology and social media. It is of utmost importance that our instruction methods change with the rest of the world. If our instruction fails to move forward, education will struggle to be relevant in the information age. If we delve into the details of this cartoon, we can find significant hallmarks of this instructor’s clear lack of vision. For example, the presence of a plain black board is a dead give-away that the instructor portrayed in the illustration has not  bothered to learned how to use a smart board. Therefore, it is reasonable to hypothesize that the instructor is rigid and closed minded. She expects her students to adapt to her old-fashioned ways rather than taking the time to devote herself to learning to teach the way modern students learn. It is also possible that this instructor feels to proud to learn more. A vital quality in a teacher is being a good learner with an open mind and it is crystal clear this instructor is set in her medieval ways. 

If we continue to look around, we will notice how bare the walls are. The classroom just isn't stimulating! It is also important not to let the student completely off the hook either. The student does not understand that writing about his Summer activities is an exercise to build his writing skills. The point of the task is not social, it is educational. The student portrayed in the cartoon is also responding to the teachers prompt in a rude and disrespectful manner. If the teacher manages behavior conflicts with the same attitude as her instruction methods, that student will become indifferent and adversarial. 

Although I am taking steps toward learning to be proficient with technology, I have always considered it to be difficult and abstract. Here I can empathize with the teacher portrayed in the cartoon. Learning new things is intimidating and anxiety provoking but as educators, being excellent learners is part of our job. I find that a class setting reduces my fear and anxiety about learning technology. As one student in a community of learners who help one another, I feel comfortable asking questions and seeking the guidance of others. If I was this instructor's colleague, I would recommend signing up for a workshop or class about instruction related technologies. To avoid seeming condescending, I would inform her that I'm planning to attend the training and politely invite her to join me. Acquiring teaching abilities by the will of our own volition is what molds us into competent instructors. It is important to note that although it is healthy to ask questions and enlist the help of others, the instructor must be able to hold their own on their own as well. In social studies instruction, we want to make sure the content we present is about the past with out using methods from the past.