THE OLD HAS TO GO, FOR THE NEW TO COME!

Reflections for Session 3
22 August 2014

Today while I was walking home, I saw my neighbor throwing away an old monitor together with some old furniture. Seeing that this could be an interesting opportunity to understand her perspectives on technology, I started a short "interview" with her. When I asked her why she was throwing away the monitor, she told me that she needed to clear the space so she could install a new iMac that her son bought. She added that she was reluctant to throw it away as it contained a lot of memories from her younger days. She begun to share about the fun she had on the computer and how technology was so fascinating to her in the 1990s. 

Curious about her views on modern day technology, I asked her if she liked her new iMac. She laughed and told me in Chinese that when time passes, you have to learn to let go, and embrace the new. She explained that even though she likes her old computer, her grandchildren are finding it very hard to use it as it is slow and not user-friendly. Before I left, she even took out her iPhone to show me photos of her computer before she brought it downstairs to the Rubbish Chute. It was amazing to see that her computer was actually still running on Windows 95! It was indeed a rare antique. 

This short conversation with my neighbor brought me to reflect on how technology has advanced in the past few years. 1995 was just 10 years ago, but if I were to bring that old monitor to my pre-school, I can guarantee that no one can even switch it on. 

During class, we were prompted with a simple discussion question: "How can we use old technology for learning in the classroom?" Despite racking our brains, no one in my group could think of other activities apart from classroom museum and dramatic play. We now live in a society where we must have the latest technology. My friend worked for 2 months during his holiday, just so he could buy a new iPhone 5S to replace his old Iphone 5. Being so obsessed with getting our hands on the latest and best technology available, we are forgetting that the best technological tools for learning are already in our hands. 

Do we really have to let go of the old, to embrace the new? Are schools really deprived of budget to include technology into the classroom? Is the quality of learning really determined by the price and quality of the technological tool?