"Stand and Deliver"

Bluetit Breakfast

Gone are the days when we all await the clank of bottles on our doorsteps as the daily pint becomes bluetit breakfast.  (Actually my neighbour still gets his milk delivered!)  But my point is this: when things are delivered to us, such as milk or the post, it is a very one-sided process - the recipients are passive.

That's what the 'old' media is like.  People sit on the sofa and watch TV programmes; they visit the cinema for the latest releases and the most active thing they are involved in is reaching for more popcorn; newspaper and book print sits on the page awaiting the reflection of light and the open eye.


Is that how we see teaching?  How often do we talk about "delivering" a lesson?  Do we expect our students to sit for a while, listening and watching, passively absorbing the information imparted to them?  I hope not, well, not often.  That is why I am trying to avoid using the word "deliver" when it comes to the curriculum.

But what are the alternatives?

Well, I believe that students of all ages should 'engage' with the their learning.  They need to be active and interdependent and New Media can be used to promote this.  The question is "how"?  What are your thoughts?