Ten Little Monkeys: A Lesson in Roll Over Technology

As a father, I fondly recall the joyful moments spent watching my kids enjoy the catchy YouTube videos of “Ten Little Monkeys” and “Five Little Monkeys.” In the “Ten Little Monkeys” song, one monkey falls off the bed, and the others cheerfully chant, “Roll over! Roll over!” until they have all fallen off the bed. In the “Five Little Monkeys,” the mischievous little ones would dance on the bed until one of them rolled over, bumped his head, and the doctor declared, “No more jumping on the bed!” until no more monkeys remain on the bed.

Recently, my school completed a three-year rollover plan for SMARTboards. Although they are all the same brand, each year SMART Technologies has upgraded their firmware and available options. This situation reminded me of the monkeys’ song and got me thinking about the metaphor for the challenges of roll over technology in educational settings.

Just like those playful monkeys, schools often find themselves in a dance with technology upgrades. I’ve worked in institutions where budgets allow for a complete tech overhaul, but instead, they opt for a staggered, roll over approach. On the surface, this seems to make sense—spreading the costs and allowing for gradual integration of new devices. However, much like our jumping and rolling monkeys, this decision can lead to a cascade of problems.

When schools decide to roll over technology rather than implement it all at once, they often end up with a patchwork of devices that can lead to inconsistency. Imagine a classroom equipped with laptops from different generations or smart boards that vary in functionality, even though they share the same brand. This inconsistency not only frustrates teachers and students alike but can also hinder the overall learning experience.

In an age where technology should unify and enhance learning, rolling over upgrades can create barriers. Students may struggle with different software versions or features, impacting their ability to collaborate effectively. Teachers, too, face challenges when trying to teach with tools that don’t work as expected or don’t align with their lesson plans.

So, as we reminisce about those delightful monkeys on the bed, let us also consider the lessons they teach us about consistency and integration in technology. While it’s tempting to take the gradual approach, sometimes a leap into a complete upgrade is necessary to ensure that our classrooms are equipped to foster the best learning environments possible. After all, it’s much easier to enjoy the dance when all the monkeys are jumping in harmony!