Oregon City Falls

Acrylic on Canvas / 436” x 49” / $ 1,100

Oregon City is the site of the first electric power transmission line in North America. We have come a long way since then. Miniaturized components enable us to operate devices that were never imagined during the late 1880s.

The 3 R’s plus Electronics?                       

For over 300,000 years, humans worked with stone and metal hand tools. But 150 years ago, with the invention of electronic devices, many of these helpers became obsolete. Since 1835, when American scientist, Joseph Henry invented the electric relay, emerging technologies have changed the way we live and do business. It is difficult to imagine a home without television, mobile phones, computers or internet connections. We rely on microwaves, remote controls, satellite dishes, keyless automobiles, global positioning devices and baby monitors. These devices that control homes and keep us secure have created a demand for skilled workers who can design, build, install, test and maintain them. It makes me wonder what schools are doing to prepare students for technological jobs.

Elementary schools concentrate on the 3 Rs – reading writing,  ‘rithmatic but the notion of introducing young children to  technology has not been embraced by educators. To most adults, techno-specialists speak a foreign language. We do not know what a diode, capacitor or resister does nor do we understand how electrons flow through wires and light traveling through fibers is converted to electricity.

Are you staying abreast of changes in cognitive science, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, robotics and nanotechnology? Most people aren’t. These subjects feel too foreign—too scary. It is for this reason that we need to introduce young children to these technologies through games and interactive devices. Their minds are adaptive and they have not been programmed against them. All one has to do is look at youths to see how much easier it is for them to use computer operated devices than their parents.

Art, music, sports, cooking and craft programs provide hands-on experiences that stimulate the sense and use the creative side of the brain. Assembling robots, electrical boards or drones do the same thing. The first time I put together a theremin was exhilarating because it was such a foreign activity. Once I overcame my fear of being thought stupid, I discovered success was a matter of learning a few new words (electronic-speak), following directions and being patient. As I assembled the small components, I discovered my eye-hand coordination and ability to concentrate also improved..

Assembling electronic devices requires organization in the same way a cook organizes ingredients for a favorite recipe.  Collecting, measuring, storing ingredients and cleaning are part of the process. They are both problem solving activities that can have satisfying outcomes.

Schools do not think about hardware in the same way they do software, yet workers are needed to repair electric cars, computers and home monitoring devices. Engineers of the future will continue to make devices go faster and more efficient. Those who are technically savvy are the pace setters for tomorrow and our education system must be challenged to teach to them.

Many educational devices have been invented that make techno-learning fun. They can be purchased in upscale toy stores and are used in many after school science programs. It is now time to bring them into the public school system. Tinkering and taking things stimulates the imagination and makes life exciting. Leonardo da Vinci, knew this for he was not only and fine painter for an amazing engineer.

Of course, not everyone is a hands-on learner. Some enjoy reading, learning history, and using their knowledge to analyze change. For these individuals, there will be ethical questions to explore and laws to enact. Questions will be asked such as, should infants be tagged with an electronic device under their skin that will follow them through life and how will people survive if robots continue to replace workers. Historians, philosophers and journalists will have plenty to do.

So in addition in helping children become familiar with hardware and software they will need to develop ways of thinking about ethical issues and social change. Embracing innovation is complex and needs our full attention or we will continuously be surprised as was Mark Zuckerberg over Facebook’s privacy issues.  Let’s get out front of technology and consider ramifications before we are in trouble. 

Reference:

World Economic Forum. (2017) Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2017. Scientific American. retrieved from https://www.scientificamerican.com/report/top-10-emerging-technologies-of-20171/

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