O' Captain, My Captain

I recently spoke with one of my professors about introducing multimedia into the classrooms and some of my doubts and fears regarding the subject.  It’s no secret that I don’t like the idea of bringing in technology just for the sake of being a “cool” teacher or to show that I am able to utilize it.  I generally had a more traditional style of teaching in high school (lecture style classrooms, essays, etc.); teachers did not deviate from the norm very often.  This style is what I am comfortable with, but I am learning that I am going to have to go outside of my comfort zone if I want to be successful.  This professor brought up the movie “The Dead Poet Society” and asked what I thought about Robin William’s teaching style throughout the movie.  Obviously I love the way he was able to forge such an amazing bond with his students and inspire them to think outside the box.  He then brought up the scene in the courtyard where he discusses conformity and uses an abstract way to show the way society works.  This in itself is using a different “media” to convey a point.  Brilliance, pure brilliance.  By getting the students out and moving it opens a plethora of opportunities it allows for personal growth and exploration.  Although technology wasn't utilized, he got his students to break the mold and use creativity to convey a message.  By giving his students permission to break norms they respected and trusted him; it was a relationship worthy of envy.