You Can't Teach an Old Dog New Tricks
2020 was a strange year for everyone including teachers. While I have been trying new technologies in the classroom, the rest of the world had to quickly adapt to teaching online. I have to admit that the world has passed me. Covid-19 forced a lot of teachers to catch up with the times. I think it was a necessary push towards the 4th industrial revolution in teaching.
Many teachers, especially older ones, had a hard time learning how to teach online and use new technology in the classroom. We are digital immigrants. Our students are digital natives. The teaching profession changes slowly because you can’t teach old dog new tricks.
You can’t teach old dog new tricks is one of the oldest English idioms (1540s). It expresses the idea that it is difficult for older people to learn new things. I don’t think that we lose our ability to learn as we grow older. But, we have too many other priorities. Learning new skills takes time that we don’t have. That being said, I love learning new things and I hope you do too.
Example: My grandfather refuses to talk on Google Meet. He says that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
What new skill would you like to acquire?
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Reference:
https://www.theidioms.com/you-cant-teach-an-old-dog-new-tricks/