A well-made multimedia experience can inform students of elements of history or science that a lecture cannot begin to share. However, it is the deep conviction of teachers, their experience of comparing events and contrasting goals, and their moving discussions of the ethics and morals of given actions that give such presentations real meaning. Contacts between students of different cultures working together through the Internet can create important and unique solutions to global problems, but without the guidance of an experienced and caring teacher such students may miss the deeper meaning of the interactions. As children and youth from diverse geopolitical classrooms interact, they may confront value differences without gaining from them, settle for the limitations that their lack of experience might cause, and remain at superficial levels of communication and discourse. As we approach this rich experience at the forefront of technology in education, focus on the instant and voluminous production of information in the world today, and try to discover ways to incorporate these ideas into our classrooms let us not lose sight of our goals.
Technology can produce information and assist learning.
It can communicate information efficiently and effectively. But technology cannot develop deep understanding, create ethical solutions, or direct human interaction that balances thinking and feeling, justice and personal gain, history and progress. That requires excellence in teaching and the ability to create the conditions that optimize learning. This conference will present us with the opportunity and challenge of many paths to understanding. As we learn together, it should be an exciting experience and a new adventure in global understanding.