Tom Johnson takes a very clever approach in writing blogs. As Dr. Strange stated it requires more than skimming but it's mandatory that you turn your brain on in reading his posts. I read the blog Just Teach Them to Solve for X. The writing itself was encouraging students, teachers, and people all together to really embrace metaphorical writing techniques. In this blog he made several good points but a few really grabbed my attention. He stated, The genius of paper is how we can use it to construct knowledge rather simply copy processes. This is very true because writing (or blogging) gives us the freedom to invent our own ideas and share it rather than just becoming a carbon copy. He makes another statement that explains why people would often settle with copying a process instead of using creativity through different ways of writing. He said, "Look, it's just that metaphors are dangerous. There's too much room for confusion." "That's exactly why we need them. Life is dangerous. Learning is dangerous. A bad metaphor can launch a war. I want my students to know this. I want them to see that language shapes our perceptions of reality."
A lot of times people are so afraid of embracing something unknown or that could possibly be messy because it requires both effort and thinking. The idea that it is messy invites one to a world of creativity. It lures away from the rigid structure of burping back knowledge and really invites someone to explore interpretations.
I agree that this is the language that shapes our perception of reality and that it is the bridge from abstraction and concrete. We need both, so how do we incorporate? By thinking ourselves and making our students THINK. So why not just solve for X, why not use such a formula in writing? Because individuals need to see beyond the horizons of the extremely structured learning they have adapted too and embrace new and creative ideas.
It is so easy to become adapted to one way of thinking and apply that to all subjects and all situations. Did you catch that? It's easy! Thinking outside the box and perceiving things in a new ways demands that as a reader we are actually present in the moment to contemplate the possible meanings of a post. Even though I misinterpreted Don't Take the Pencils Home for the original assignment, I now understand his keen use of metaphorical writing to discuss the issues with computers and technology in low income areas. I really was wondering what the big deal was with pencils in low income areas but now I understand completely. He is right that technology is a lot of times perceived as a toy rather than an object that will greatly enhance the learning experience. Not only that but teachers fear that students will not be held accountable, which in my opinion is good and bad. Students need to learn to be self motivated with the help of a teacher. Technology and self motivated classrooms, such as EDM310 exhibits the responsibility a student must have by being self taught, but also the creativity and ability to explore that it gives. So in this post he raises many relevant questions and points that are taking place in the school system today. It just requires reading beyond the words and actually paying attention. Now, I really enjoy the posts!
