Liberation Sistas and Brothas,
I recently came across an article that deals with the issue of technology in the classroom. It’s an interesting piece. Here in New Orleans many schools boast that they have elaborate computer labs and ultra-wired campuses; however, the education of our children within those schools continue to lack social, cultural, historical, and economic relevance.
When we build our own schools (and we must build our own), we must not be concerned with whether or not our schools look like “normal” schools. Where has “normal” schools gotten us?….Thank you. Ours must look different, smell different, sound different, feel different, and product different kinds of Afrikan students–students who are equipped with the intellectual, spiritual, physical, and moral skills needed for Nationbuilding at its highest level. In short, our education must teach them how to solve the challenges we face as a nation.
Technology can help, but the loving and constructive relationship between the mwalimu (teacher) and the mwanafunzi (student) stand at the center of the Afrikan-centered educational framework. The teacher understands that her life is intimately intertwined with the life of her students and that if they fail, we fail. Technology cannot compare to a committed, centered Afrikan educator who also knows that you can teach what you know, but you can only reproduce what you are.
An engaging Afrikan-centered teacher, technology or not, will succeed in teaching our children what they need to know for life and not a test.
Check out the article below and share SamoriCamara.com with others.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/23/technology/at-waldorf-school-in-silicon-valley-technology-can-wait.html?pagewanted=2&_r=2&ref=technology
Revolutionary Love,
Samori Camara
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