Money, Happiness, Motorcycles and Technology in the Classroom.
There’s a fun reel (meme, tiktok, audio, short… my lexicon needs an update) out there that motorcyclists are posting by the thousands. It is generally a sweeping shot of their bike with the accompanying audio, “you can’t buy happiness, but you can buy a motorcycle, and that’s basically the same thing.”
As a motorcyclist, I can relate.
As an aside, I do recognize the privilege that I can enjoy a recreational motorcycle.
I recently became a Google Certified Educator. Hold your applause and awe. If you are somewhat computer literate, grew up with a computer in your house, did some schooling online and have taken some recent online classes, it really isn’t a massive achievement.
In going through the Google’s educational materials, I came across a wonderful little quote.
“Technology alone will not improve education, but it can be a powerful part of the solution.”
Sundar Pichai, CEO, Google
It really made me think about the motorcycle thing. Those who haven’t ridden a motorcycle couldn’t possible understand it. Yes, there are most definitely equivalents out there.
For those in education but with limited access to and experience with technology, it can be a challenge to truly grasp the potential.
It seems like common sense to those of us who “know,” but for others it can be much more tedious, difficult or seemingly impossible.
Just as you can’t just give someone a motorcycle and say, “here is happiness,” it isn’t helpful to tell educators, “this technology is here to stay and is of extremely high educational value.”
How can we empathize with and help others make the transition from the traditional pen, paper, textbook and chalkboard to the interactive, collaborative, wonderful world of technology.
Also, I’m always open to receiving a motorcycle with the instructions, “here is happiness.”
