This afternoon, my wife and I drove by a new furniture store in S. Logan. The space use to be occupied by a Hollywood Video franchise. In fact, I remember when the building was built and the grand opening for Hollywood Video. It was a big event. It was a happening place on a Friday night. My wife made an insightful comment today. She said that
"video stores are a trend that we have seen come and go in our lifetime."Now, I'm not terribly old, but it was shocking to realize that the age of video rental stores is over. No more browsing through shelves of empty vhs covers to find the perfect movie for the evening. No more $1.99 new releases, 99 cent everything else rentals. No more filling out a membership application at the grocery store, Hastings, Hollwood Video, Blockbuster, and The Book Table. No more visits to the video store at 1 in the afternoon in the hopes that the new release we've been dying to see would have been returned, re shelved, and still on the shelf.
Sure, fashions come and go. But, this was a whole industry come and gone. Replaced by Netflix, Redbox, Hulu, and thousands of other online video services.
This has made me reflect (and appreciate even more) the importance of making technology integration decisions on what is best for learning, not the technology. Equipment will become antiquated. Learning will not. So, the question to ponder over the weekend is...
Are you focusing on what is MOST important in the big picture?
Yes, I think I am. Teach them to think, teach them to utilize what is available (be it technology, or a book, or a stick and sand) to help them accomplish that which they want and need to accomplish, and teach them to respect. (Just had to throw that in there!) Miss you, Kurt!
ReplyDeleteLove the blog so far, thanks for articulating so well your purpose and experiences! Can't wait for more to come!
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