Agenda: Class 2

ET 690 Educational Technology Seminar

"Even if a narrative places one in hell, it is better to be there than to be nowhere. To be nowhere means to live in a barren culture, one that offers no vision of the past or future, no clear voice of authority, no organizing principles. In such a culture, what are schools for? What can they be for?" --Postman, pp. 13-14

• Questions and Announcements
  • Thanks to Lynda for Bringing Snacks
  • Postman Questions Now Posted
  • Discussion Leadership Schedule Now Posted
  • Questions
• Discussion: Postman, Preface and Chapters 1-4
  • NPR Political Discussion of Narratives
  • What is a god (lowercase "g")?
  • What role does "truth" play in a god/narrative?
  • What gods rule our lives?
  • Postman's false gods: consumerism, economic utility, technology
  • What makes a god a false god?
  • Do we need gods at all?
• Assignments
  • Read Postman, Chapters 5 - 9
  • Winner, "Do Artifacts Have Politics"
  • Snacks Next Class: Mike

This page was prepared by Dr. David M. Marcovitz.

Last Updated: January 20, 2009