Thursday, July 10, 2008

When is an apple more than just an apple?

I ran across a quote this morning that got me thinking about apples. Seriously, apples are an amazingly popular and versatile fruit. Aside from eating them (they are "delicious"), think about all the places apples pop up in our day to day lives:


  • An apple a day keeps the doctor away

  • Teachers and apples will forever be linked

  • The apple of your eye

  • Comparing apples and oranges (I actually wrote a paper on this in college!)

  • As American as apple pie

  • One bad apple . . . isn't there one in every group?

  • How do you like them apples?

  • And maybe the most famous apple of all . . . . Apple Computers.

With all the ways apples figure into our lives, is it weird that my mind went directly to Apple Computers when I read the following quote in the Sloan-C View eNewsletter today?


"If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas.
George Bernard Shaw."


I envisioned people literally exchanging computers and realizing that they didn't have any greater insight or technical literacy than they had before. BUT, if they share what they learn while they use their computers – WOW! Imagine the possibilities. As I was reading the quote I thought, what a great example of how technology integration and innovation have nothing to do with 'point and click' skills and everything to do with learning. And then I saw who the author is and realized I need to get out a little more.


But I think I know why my mind did immediately go there. We have been having a great summer on the Eighth Floor. I have been lucky enough to work with so many apple deserving educators – you know, the kind that never stop thinking and sharing – they are constantly popping. I love seeing people make the connections, both with other people and with the potential of technology. There's been a lot of energy to soak up around here this summer! And, I like them apples.


Just Thinkin'
Lee Anne