GIANT STEPS vs. baby steps

As technology becomes more integrated into education and student skills improve, the question arises whether it is better to introduce new technologies slowly and gradually or without regard for skills, anticipating the 'discovery' process that will occur. It becomes a question of how much is too much. Admittedly, overwhelming a student can become counterproductive. Ironically, I believe that underwhelming a student by 'spoon feeding' what can be easily consumed can impede progress as well. One problem with spoon feeding is that the learner may lose interest during the process and learning, in turn, may lose its inspirational and motivational ability. After all, it is what we don't know that usually pushes us into the new areas of our minds and into the learning mode.

Overwhelming students may actually have some positive outcomes if planned for and welcomed as part of the learning process. When an entire group is overwhelmed, human nature usually provides the opportunity for each person to have an opportunity to exercise leadership skills. ( Surely one person will see this as a challenge and will step up to the plate as a 'leader' in problem solving. This confidence is usually infectious and prompts others to do the same!). Also, there will be a chance to really explore the possibilities of collaborative and collective learning. There will, undoubtedly, be many 'OH, WOW!' moments that may actually electrify the learning environment. As knowledge and skills increase, there is a sense of victory over the unknown that will serve to develop personal confidence as well group confidence. Furthermore, communication skills can be enhanced as students share new knowledge. (An adept teacher will know how to capture the knowledge using web 2.0 tools!).

Lastly, the slow, plodding process of task analysis and practice toward skill mastery can be unnecessarily time-consuming when the skills can be learned as an inherent and purposeful part of a bigger picture. As long as personal safety is not at risk, what is the harm in presenting a technological challenge to students that is waiting to be used as a vehicle for collaborative learning and victory? One may be surprised at the outcome of taking GIANT STEPS into technology! ( After all, baby steps are for babies!!!)