Should The Amazing Knowledge Machine be devoid of technology? (My thought is to avoid the use of technology such as video, to produce a more visceral experience.)
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Total number of votes: 4
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Total number of votes: 4
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I'm going to leave this here for anyone who doesn't understand the question: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIZKPKb7mJg
I think that the Amazing Knowledge Machine is an interesting concept that can have strong reaching effects especially to younger children. I remember being in Elementary School and too many of the assemblies being of so sort of dumb fundraiser. The two that truly struck with me however were an ecology themed one that had so much audience role that I don't think a single person in the room had left not doing anything, and a yo-yo performer who explained energy and physics through his yo-yo performances. I can say that both of these truly inspired me to enjoy STEM as a child.
I would love to see this concept expanded because the wonder that is invoked by the smooth movement of the kinematic machine is enough to capture anyone. I believe that you're right about how too much time is spent in a virtual reality and not enough actually admiring the wonders of nature and natural phenomenon like kinematics.
Now should these machines be devoid of tech? That is a hard question. There could be advanced applications that might not be able to be explained without it. It will be interesting seeing the discussion of this.
Thanks for linking to that video for clarification. It is part of the blog in this group as well(for those wondering).
You make some great points Hunter. I too, have memories of school assemblies; few of which contained any real value or real inspiration. For me, it was a laser show set to music that helped foster an interest in STEM. Though it only focused on a single scientific principal, it was early enough in my childhood that the simple green laser had an impact.
I suppose I am more inclined to push back against technology because I am so mechanically minded. Seeing things work physically should build a stronger foundation for knowledge.
If a principal is so advanced that a video is necessary, perhaps it wasn't broken down far enough to easily explain at the fundamental level.