I love my iPhone—it's my little connection to the larger world that can go anywhere with me. I also love my computer, as it stores all of my writing and thoughts. Though I love these devices (装置) of technology, I know that there are times when I need to move away from them and truly communicate with others.
I teach history in a high school. My goals for the class include a full discussion of historical themes and ideas. Because I want students to thoroughly study the material and share their ideas with each other in the classroom. I have a rule- no computers, iPads, phones, etc. When students were told my rule before class, some of them were not happy at all.
Most students think that my reasons for this rule include unpleasant experiences in the past with students misusing technology. There's a bit of truth to that. Some students believe that I am anti-technology. There's no truth in that at all. I love technology and try 10o keep up with it so I can relate to my students.
The real reason why I ask students to leave technology at the door is that I think there are very few places in which we can have deep conversations. Interruptions (打断) by technology often break concentration and allow for t00 much dependence on outside information for ideas. I want students to dig deep within themselves for ideas. I want them to push each other to think differently and to make connections between the course material and the class discussion.
I've been teaching my history class in this way for many years and students realize that with deep conversation, they learn at a level that helps them keep the course material beyond the classroom.
I'm not saying that I won't ever change my mind about technology use in my history class, but until I hear a really good reason for the change. A few hours of technology- free dialogue is just too sweet to give up.
