Education is about information. It's about exchanging messages; from a teacher, parent, friend, book, or website. In a classroom, the teacher's desk is the information hub. It's the place to send out and receive educational messages. Traditionally, the teacher gives out an assignment and students complete it and turn it back in on the teacher's desk. When they have the opportunity, the teacher looks it over, gives feedback in the form of a grade, then hands back the assignment. This is a good and trusted system. A simple way to gather many things together in one place; easily, effectively, and for the most part efficiently. This system has been used for decades.
A new way of exchanging messages has come about with the advent of the internet. Messages are exchanged at a faster rate, gathered more easily, and utilized more efficiently with Email. This has become the new desktop and information hub that teachers use to send and receive messages. The tools that are available and built-in to today's messaging systems allow for the exchanging, processing, and storing of information in a variety of ways.
Through messaging systems such as Google's Gmail a teacher and student are able to search for information, create and keep lists (tasks), chat, keep a calendar, and much more within their customizable email system, all for FREE! Since Google was built around search and comes with lots of storage space, the user is able to save every message, sent and received, nearly indefinitely. Any message can searched for and found for later use. No worries of losing important digital messages.
The built-in messaging system features work together seamlessly. Events described in an email are saved into the calendar, to-do lists are made in the Tasks bar, a chat can be started while another user is connected to save time typing, folders and filters keep messages organized and in the right place, and all contact information is kept safe and available whenever needed.
It's easy to see why today's full featured email/messaging systems have become an intricate part of our lives. To prepare today's students for jobs that don't exist with technology that hasn't been created, teachers are challenged to build a solid digital education. Starting with a good messaging system is the foundation for students to flourish.
Come back next week as we talk about how to get and keep your Email to Zero!