Creating Attitudes Worth Catching.
2004; 1105 Media; Volume: 31; Issue: 7 Linguagem: Inglês
ISSN
0192-592X
Autores Tópico(s)Gender and Technology in Education
Resumowas recently the emcee for the 2003 Los Angeles Unified School District's education technology conference, which was attended by several hundred K-12 educators. At the conference, had one of the great experiences of my life: met Eleanor Bralver, who at 90 years old is California's--and quite possibly the nation's--oldest full-time educator. She first taught physical education in Detroit in 1935, and has been teaching health science at Sylmar High School (part of LAUSD) since 1967. Bralver was being recognized and honored at the technology conference for her use and welcoming of technology into her classroom. When introducing her, Joe Oliver of the LAUSD related what happened when he brought new technology equipment into her classroom--something Bralver wasn't expecting. When she found out that Oliver was leaving the equipment for her use, she commented, I feel like getting [and giving] a hug. A Passion for Education After Oliver's introduction, Bralver proceeded to mesmerize the attendees with 15 minutes of extemporaneous talk about her passion for education. The message she left with the audience can be summed up in these comments: How do you make school fun? get involved.... It's a passion and commitment. It's a love just have to do--if not, I'll just lie down and die. Bralver's energy, passion and devotion to her work was evident to everyone at the conference, which is why she earned a well-deserved standing ovation. When she completed her talk, gave her a hug as she walked past me. But Bralver did not just accept my hug with graciousness. Instead, she grabbed the back of my head and proceeded to kiss me on the lips. She then proclaimed, I am not letting go until they take a picture of this. It was another 10 seconds before she let go--I absolutely loved it. When walked back to the podium, still in the mood of the kiss, remarked, You can keep Halle Berry, will take a kiss from Eleanor any day. (This is a reference to the 2003 Oscars where the winner of the best actor award, Adrien Brody, gave Berry, who announced his award, an unexpected and passionate kiss.) Bralver exemplifies what my column is about--making life easier--but to a large extent this is a matter of attitude. This is an easy but sometimes glib statement to make, especially in the face of an attitude that is resistant to change. One of the real issues we face is how to change the mind-set of naysayers when it comes to implementing technology. …
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