The Long and Winding Road

Many moons ago, I wrote a poem for my first tech class, "Technology and the Mule".  I hadn't even been on the web yet, I was pretty much a closet Luddite.  And now, after 10+ years, I'm about to team teach some basic Google apps to the reluctant teachers at my school.  This class has taught me that (temporary) failure IS an option, that we can figure it out together.  Failure just  means I haven't collaborated enough yet. Of course, I've also learned some pretty cool tech stuff :) So here's today's thing: I am starting to understand how these students use trial & error, and collaboration to figure out their video games and other electronic gadgets.  They just keep hitting buttons until something makes sense. Pretty different from how I was "trained" at school: do what the teacher says and get the right answer. I am rethinking how I am going to teach this year, and it's a bit scary.  The kids will be back in 11 days, 4 of which I'll be on the road delivering my daughter to college.  Can I redo some lesson plans to start the year off?  If I can meet these students on their trial&error level, will Library Class be more relevant?  Will they be more engaged?  Many thanks to Lisa and Dave for teaching us so many great tools, and for allowing us the time for trial & error!