The short film Opening Speech by Norman McLaren reminded me of being back in primary school. The struggle the announcer was having with the microphone, was reminiscent of my primary teachers trying to figure out how to use the VCR. In the 80's my fellow students were masters of the VCR and it was very entertaining to see our teachers struggling with all the cables, buttons, and easily damaged tapes. After several frustrating minutes my teachers would finally get the VCR working and they would be rewarded with being able to sit and relax while the TV did the teaching for them. Not a bad return!
In the movie the announcer was effective in delivering the message of "Welcome" but it took him all of seven minutes. The idea of technology having a mind of its own is not new, but the announcer did not submit to this frustration, rather he found a better way to deliver the message using newer technology. From the perspective of the people in the auditorium I think that a loud "Welcome" without the microphone would have been sufficient to introduce the rest of the program. However, by using technology McLaren's "Welcome" made a far reaching message that would not be forgotten by the audience. McLaren's video was also used to welcome us to the course. Not surprisingly this video is available on YouTube where McLaren's message lives on.
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Thanks for finding that video, Paul. Of course in my day it was teachers fumbling with 35 mm movie projectors & splicing broken film! The idea that the welcome was finally done using a newer technology is interesting, an inadvertent comment on the trend to more user friendly technology?
ReplyDeletePaul, amazingly, our teachers still struggle today. The tools have changed though. A kid or young adult could easily figure out a Nintendo DSi or how to use facebook, and other online tools but the older folks still grapple with it. The point is, as we figure out how to use one piece of technology, something else comes up that requires our 'figuring out' capabilities. When will this stop?
ReplyDeleteI certainly agree Ben. There is always something new coming along. And lets hope technology is becoming more user friendly.In retrospect, most teachers in the 80s used the VCR appropriately in the classroom setting as a teaching tool. We have still not reached the potential of using the internet in our classrooms. All our students have fancy cell phones that are currently only used for entertainment purposes. We as educators need to figure out ways to use current technology in our classrooms. The biggest issue is do we trust our students to use this technology appropriately?
ReplyDeleteThat question of trust is huge. Some kids will abuse privileges, but I think we trust them - teach appropriate use, consequences and model this as well. Of course, the teacher has to be comfortable with this, it means giving up 'power'. It is analogous to the idea of having high standards and most kids will reach to them, if we show trust and give responsibility, most will live up to it ... at least I hope so in my optimistic way:-)
ReplyDeleteI agree that McLaren has created a far reaching message that would not be forgotten by the audience. Under the surface, I believe Opening Speech is rich with a variety of messages, some obvious and others obscure. It would be hard to argue that McLaren is not making a statement that sometimes technology is a joke. Today, most people would think that the film was a comedy routine rather than a welcome message.
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