Recently I posted a link concerning the history of the printing press and how this revolutionary innovation affected and ultimately transformed society,culture, and the world.
Interestingly, hand written books were generally read aloud to groups. Recalling my time in Haiti and my research into the Haitian culture, I learned about "Krik-krak" the art of Haitian story-telling. Similarly, stories were recited around an evening fire when the work was done and the day was gone.
However, the printing press allowed the mass production of written material and corporate gathering for book-reading and story-telling gave way to independent study and ultimately to silent reading.
Aside: Silent reading was not readily accepted of course. People caught reading to themselves were considered demon-possessed by those observing them moving their lips without uttering a word.
Yet the information is not necessarily student-centered either. Though it should be appropriate for the intended audience, the subject matter becomes the campfire around which the students gather to listen, observe, hypothesize, experiment, interact, collaborate, and report.
The usefulness of technology today is grounded it this ability to create rich, immersive environments for such gatherings. When this atmosphere is cultivated in the classroom, students and teachers are no longer in opposition to one another but are fellow-explorers navigating the new subject matter for a better understanding. (posted 3/1/10)
