Technology: The 10th Muse

"We may affirm absolutely that nothing great in the world has been accomplished without passion." - G. W. F. HEGEL

As teachers, we are well aware of the legend of the Greek muses. In ancient myth, these 9 goddesses provided inspiration for music, literature, and the arts. Clio, the glorious one in some translations, the muse of History, is often represented with a parchment scroll or a set of tablets. I wonder, a decade into the 21st century, if her image might be updated to include a PDA or a Kindle 2.

I began this experiment in technology because of my passion for History and my passion for transmitting/transferring some portion to my students. As a pragmatist, I am aware that many will still, ultimately, fail to see the import of studying History; however, for those chosen few, they are what drives me. As a reformed (somewhat) Ludditte, I want to learn how to incorporate technology, various types, into my more traditional, brick-and-mortar classes in an effort to more readily and immediately engage my students who are the first generation of digital natives.

A secondary objective, and one I admit was not immediately known to me, is that of building an online community of History teachers, across the nation (around the world) who can share ideas, methods, pedagogical tools that they have employed in thier classrooms in California, Maine, or the UK.

Thus, I would like to thank you all for your passion, brilliance and dedication to teaching. The toughest job you will ever love!

First Day - Spring term

Well, it finally arrived! It seemed as though it was an eternity in getting here. And, as I almost always am, I find myself more than a bit anxious as to how the first day went. What I mean by that is; I do not want to overwhelm my students with the amount of material that I intend to cover (and, I have sought, aggressively so) to parse it into a few sessions; and yet, I want them to come into the course with their eyes open, no surprises.

I also want them to see the importance and significance of taking a History class: particularly in light of the times which confront us and our nation.

As I begin a new semester, I also find myself facing the dilemma of how "best" to use technology (such as this blog) to further enhance my students' experience(s). I do not want it to serve, solely, as a "diary" for me to post my ramblings (although, knowing me, that will surely happen!) However, in all honesty, if I strive to utilize it as a learning tool, an integrated aspect of my courses, I do not think that it will be. I remain encouraged by the vistas that integration of the technology which my students, this "digital generation" use, so effortlessly, on a daily basis, can and will open (if I do not, with my heavy-hands, muck it up ;-).