The editorial in the spring 07 issue of SSWC is something not many ever think about. Thank you Shannon for taking the time to put that in print. So many kids nowadays are getting to the point where if it cant be done by pushing a button, or by using the cut/paste prompts, they arent interested in it.Along with the modern technology, and all of the great new opportunities it brings into everyones lives, it does make individual reasoning and creativity a thing of the past for so many. I too grew up without much in the way of modern technology, and although I still remember the used Atari game system we recieved for Christmas, I have much more, better memories of building a fort, or making a makeshift go cart out of a used up lawnmower and some scrap pieces of rope.If technology was where it is today, I wonder if that would still be the case.
I live in a pretty rural area,and work with the 4H group a lot. I can tell in 2 minutes with my group which kids have that sense of reasoning and creativity redily accessable, and which kids will need much more attention to bring that creativity out.With woodworking , its hard to get the kids to realize some of the simple things like precise measurements, and why things are constructed how they are, because so many are more interested in whats going on on their myspace thingy, or whatnot.I wish more people would spend a fraction of their time with a kid,giving them the chance to be creative, and encouraging them to do things with their hands, and actually think creative.Schools do cut a lot of the shop type classes because of the technology aspects, as well as insurance reasons, and lack of interest from the students themselfs.This is where creativity at home should come from. Not once the child is a teen, and already more technologically inclined then the parent, but when the child is young. The time spent helping a child build a simple birdhouse,or even a rubberband shooter, will stay in their memory far longer then who posted what on their facebook account thingy.
I guess I too am a bit conservative, as I havent a cellphone, nor a desire for one,and as for the glossy photos, and the feel of the printed pages in my grasp, I am not ready to go without that either Shannon.Keep up the great work ! Dale
PS: I do however like that little picture of the boy controlling the scrollsaw with a joystick!
I live in a pretty rural area,and work with the 4H group a lot. I can tell in 2 minutes with my group which kids have that sense of reasoning and creativity redily accessable, and which kids will need much more attention to bring that creativity out.With woodworking , its hard to get the kids to realize some of the simple things like precise measurements, and why things are constructed how they are, because so many are more interested in whats going on on their myspace thingy, or whatnot.I wish more people would spend a fraction of their time with a kid,giving them the chance to be creative, and encouraging them to do things with their hands, and actually think creative.Schools do cut a lot of the shop type classes because of the technology aspects, as well as insurance reasons, and lack of interest from the students themselfs.This is where creativity at home should come from. Not once the child is a teen, and already more technologically inclined then the parent, but when the child is young. The time spent helping a child build a simple birdhouse,or even a rubberband shooter, will stay in their memory far longer then who posted what on their facebook account thingy.
I guess I too am a bit conservative, as I havent a cellphone, nor a desire for one,and as for the glossy photos, and the feel of the printed pages in my grasp, I am not ready to go without that either Shannon.Keep up the great work ! Dale
PS: I do however like that little picture of the boy controlling the scrollsaw with a joystick!
Comment