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Doug Blomberg: On curriculum and technology

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

In his book, Wisdom and Curriculum: Christian Schooling After Postmodernity, Doug Blomberg talks about the integral role of “play” during the formation of knowledge and wisdom. He uses the World Wide Web as a metaphor for learning, stating that learning, like the internet, offers “connections [that] are not prescribed, there is no one sequence set..it puts control into the hands of learners themselves, to determine their own running—currere (learning process).”(p. 190)

He goes on to describe how “play” is important when learning new software.

“Similarly, the best way to learn to use new software is to play around, to experiment with it in a disciplined context. Complete a few of the tutorial sessions, certainly, and then get on with the work one would normally be doing—a meaningful task, not a rote activity—and refer to the online help facility or the manual when problems arise. Learning as play is situated and shared with the tools one is using; understanding is in the hands as well as in the head…Even as I write, the words speak back to me and ask me questions, and the words I ponder pull me in different directions—which one will I follow?” (p. 190)

So when it comes to learning and/or implementing new software or technology, take Blomberg’s advice. Don’t wait until you have mastered it before you use it…Mastery comes with play!

Five strategies for learning new technology
(adapted from Doug Blomberg’s Wisdom and Curriculum, 2008)

1. Play around with it.  
2. Experiment with it in a disciplined context rather than doing a rote activity.  
3. Complete a few tutorial sessions.  
4. Use the technology to complete a meaningful task.  
5. Use the online help or other available help resources when problems arise.