Tradition!

Ah. In order – the Elk Rapids school district has just provided an iPad to each student as an educational tool. My understanding is that they are handed out to elementary school students each day and collected at the end of the day. (These kids were using them during a field trip.) It’s a brand new program and the jury is still out as to whether it is a Good Thing or not.

The toys are all kinds–including cast iron ones from your grandpa’s era and a Slinky from ours! There are 19th century cloth dolls and 20th century Barbies. I must take you all over there for a visit.

I am very happy that you got some rain, and not too much of it. I am about ready to wish for snow instead of cursing it.

It was a very hard weekend but on we go indeed.

I think the children are just getting used to the idea of what the iPads can be used for. They were experimenting. A moment later, says Babs, the teacher suggested that perhaps they’d recorded enough for the moment, and the kids put ’em down and interacted with Ross Graham. It will be interesting to see how things play out over the year.

You are absolutely right. We can’t, it is, it is indeed, and they were! I like imagining things.

I’m glad to hear it. I will show you more of the toys one day, and tell you some stories, too.

That was my first response too, but I hasten to say that the kids are still trying things out and becoming accustomed to the possibilities. Their teacher did have them stop recording and start interacting right after this photo was taken. It’s just like every other technology – having the conversation about what it’s good for – and what it’s bad for – is part of the story. Same with electricity and photography and freeze-drying food.

I know the feeling! I had the same experience when I visited Rob the Firefighter and the Lady Alicia.

I have had more time to assimilate it. I have quite a few questions bouncing around in my mind, though. Quite a few. And each one worth an extended conversation. No wonder we are left breathless and speechless.

At the moment I have checked myself into rehab – a house without an internet connection of any kind. (I am writing this at the Central Lake Library.) We’ll see how that goes, shall we? Meanwhile, I’m having excellent walks.

Update December 27, 2012 – Oh dear, oh dear – I am in receipt of an email from a dear blogging friend who read that I’d “checked myself into rehab.” She was very worried about me. It just goes to show you how a flip remark can be misconstrued. I hasten to assure you all that I am in “withdrawal” only from at-home broadband service! I am writing this at the Elk Rapids Library, still having excellent walks, and reading a lot more books. I’ll get back to blogging soon. All things in moderation.

And then there are things that are just toys forever . . . mostly large, noisy things. But yes, I agree, all of us learn about the possibilities that exist in an object or a material by playing with it. Same with words.