I love that we cannot teach the way we were taught to teach (or the way we were taught) because education is constantly changing. The way we teach now is not the way my parents were taught, or I was taught. My parents were educated to be part of a world where things had yet to exist (the internet, cell phones, 3D movies!), and I was educated to be a part of a world where things did not exist (wi-fi, tablets/kindles, smartphones, 4D/Imax!), so are we educating the youth to be a part of the future world (can you imagine the things that have yet to be invented?).
One thing I hope never ceases to exists are real books, and putting a pen to paper. There is something about holding a book, smelling the ink on the pages, and getting lost in a story that you just can’t get with an electronic device (don’t get me wrong, I loved my kindle— before it broke/I broke it— it was so convenient). I have heard that teaching cursive (even handwriting) is a lost art now, no one hand writes anything anymore, it’s all typed. LIES. I write every day, haha.
Teaching Kindergarten is new for me (did you know? have I mentioned that yet?!), and one of the joys I have found this year is watching students discover books for the first time. When they pick up one of those small, simple books, and can read the words from the beginning to the end for the first time without your help— their smiles are infectious, the joy is actually contagious. Would it be the same if they learned those words on a screen and flipped pages on a tablet? I don’t know.
Will hard books cease to exist? What do you think? What is something you hope will never leave the education world?
two apples a day 
Hi Melody, you post reminded me of an article I recently read on my Listserv from Education Week. There is a lot of debate on whether cursive should be taught in elementary schools, and I have just witnessed first-hand that our iPad/laptop toting students are not getting. I’m teaching and “elementary after-school” class and the kids “can’t read my writing.” I 100% agree with you. Technology cannot replace the handwritten letter. Think of it, would you rather get a hand-written letter from someone important to you or an email. They are different and they have different audiences and purposes. Fight that fight in elementary school (for us high school teachers); when they get to us, it’s too late. Thanks for sharing!! (Do you remember me? I’m Jee-Young’s friend from church. :))
I will fight the fight! And yes, I remember you Carolyn^^
I love actual books as well! It made me so sad when I heard of some schools getting rid of actual books in their library for kindles (e-books).