In the Catholic tradition, the season of Advent is about waiting. In four weeks, the Church recognizes and relives the millennia of expectation prior to the birth of the Christ child. The chief difference between this celebration and history is that we wait in confidence that our waiting will be fulfilled. The children of Israel waited (and some still wait) for the Messiah, but despite faith, there was never certainty. The story was being written , and the end existed only in the mind of God, rather than in the Gospel of Luke.
As we wait for certain technological innovations to come into common use, our expectation better matches the experience of Israel than that of Advent. We feel confident in the promise of new technology, and we hope for effective broad-based implementation, but we're not sure when, how, or even if it will come. I can think of a number of implementations that I was certain would be in much wider use than are out there now. I wonder if this Advent has a Christmas to follow.
One of the uses of classroom technology that I'm surprised doesn't see greater use is variations of video conferencing. Most classrooms have a projector and a wifi-connected device that could easily connect to persons anywhere in the world. Likewise, the same equipment can be used to record what is going on in the classroom and send it elsewhere in real time. I pictured that teachers would use this ability to have virtual guest speakers and conduct virtual field trips, breaking down the walls of the classroom without regard for distance. Classes could speak to other classes of children from across the country or across the world with little more preparation than scheduling. This video could be turned around and children who were sick for long periods of time could virtually attend classes, participating in most activities, from their home or hospital bed. It seems to offer a world of opportunities with no additional equipment.
But it's not happening. Now I'm sure that everyone reading this can immediately point to a story they read or a video they saw demonstrating these functions. The class in California waves happily at the class in Kenya. The astronaut answers student questions. In fact, last year I wrote about a young girl attending one of our schools remotely. However, the fact that there is video or a story actually demonstrates that these are not commonplaces but unusual showcase events that are outside what goes on in most schools. What should be a weekly reality is a exciting exception. We are not there yet. I believe it is coming, but I'm waiting.
There may be several reasons why video functionality is not taking off. I'm certain that the vagaries of bandwidth and choppiness of video and sound often hobble such connections and discourage teachers from depending on them. Teachers may not have built their own networks give them access to effective guests or to other classrooms. It may be that these connections may not be time efficient. Teachers may be uncomfortable having their classroom videoed and sent into a home.
I think the most likely reason, however, is that this is cutting a new path, and while many might see its value, the persuasive call of the worn path, the easy road, trumps it every time. There is a hill of discomfort and mistakes that one must climb before reaching a plateau of productivity, and for too many, it isn't worth the effort. Until a teacher feels that video access is a worn and comfortable tool in the toolbox, events like this will remain showcases, pretty to look at, but essentially unreal.
So I'm waiting, and as always, I welcome your comments.
Image: https://www.flickr.com/photos/butterflysha/140523563
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