I’ve got mail: An open letter to me from Bradley Solmsen

Last Updated on Thursday, 27 January 2011 09:08 Written by bryfy Thursday, 27 January 2011 09:08

The following was re-posted from the Innovation in Jewish Education blog from Brandeis University.

A letter to David Bryfman on Technology and Jewish Learning posted on January 24th, 2011.

Dear David:

Over the years you and I have gone back and forth about the role technology plays in Jewish learning. You know that I love tech toys and that I am a pretty big Apple fan. I have been thinking about all of this recently and wanted to share some thoughts and questions with you to see where you are standing on these issues.

First, technology is not the answer to all of our prayers. In fact I think in many cases technology might be part of the problem. Learners need and want to be challenged. Learners need and want to connect with other learners. Technology might appear to offer these things but I think that this is an illusion. Real challenge and true connection first need to happen between educators and learners in person. I also feel strongly that challenge and connection are fundamental elements for building community. I do not believe anything can replace a skilled, well-supported teacher connecting to a learner or group of learners – looking them in the eye and seeing and feeling one another’s excitement and passion.

But this is not the whole picture. I mentioned already that I am an Apple fan. I own an iPad. I can’t help but believe that this new toy has tremendous potential locked somewhere deep inside. I am fixated on the iPad because it can be shared so easily between small groups of people, it’s so easy to use and the touch interface, its location awareness and other features make it an ideal learning and communication tool. I believe that it has great potential for teaching Hebrew, connecting people to Israel, and unlocking our prayer book and other key texts. I have seen some amazing examples outside of the Jewish world that feed my sense of excitement.

Despite my enthusiasm I have to keep reminding myself that the iPad, like all of its cousins, is a tool not a solution.

How can we (Jewish educators and maybe software designers) take best advantage of iPads and other similar opportunities?

How do we help other Jewish educators do the hard work of innovating in Jewish education and avoid the sense that there are easy answers (i.e. technology)?

At the end of the day I feel that more has stayed the same than changed over the years. What do you think? I look forward to hearing from you.

Bradley

Rabbi Bradley Solmsen is the Director of the Office of High School Programs at Brandeis University.