The old radiator represents the contrast between old and new I am seeing on my visits at Turning Point. The school is wireless with a 1:1 laptop ratio. Just about everything is done on computer. However, the school is housed in, what I would guess is, one of the oldest buildings in the district. I heard that at one time the school was condemned, but I am not totally sure about that. I can say that the building is old. Old isn't necessarily bad, but it provides a stark contrast to the "newness" of the technology. The building itself has many beautiful elements - maple wood trim, built in wood and glass cupboards in the classrooms, a staircase at either end of the main hallway with a solid wooden balister, and an interesting arched and barred window in the hallway that looks like it used to be a ticket booth. At a quick glance one wouldn't guess that some of the most innovative teaching and learning is happening here. The feeling I get inside the school is one of hominess, which is nice when I am also surrounded by new ideas, applications, and ways of teaching.
I think the term we use to make us feel less, well, neglected, is "Tradigital," a term from my friend and Yoda, Kevin Honeycutt.
ReplyDeleteTradigital: that's what we are.