I would like to begin by expressing my pleasure with last night’s guest lecturer, Will Richardson. Many of the things he made reference to made a lot of sense to me. For instance, he began by pointing out how rapidly things are changing as a result of technology. The example he used was the fact that many daily newspapers are in financial trouble. I recall hearing on CNN a few days ago about a major U.S. paper closing its doors. I still like getting my news through the old fashioned mediums of newspapers and television, but I certainly got his point; things are changing rapidly. I am left wondering if the newspaper will someday become obsolete? Another point that left me wondering related to his assertion that kids are using many technological tools within their circle of friends, but are they being utilized at the school level? This ties into where I want to go with my digital project for the course. This happens to be my technological accomplishment for the week as well. With the help of our school’s “tech guy” I have compiled a 10 question student survey on google docs which will in turn compile my data on student connectivity and its use both at home and at school. My hope is to gain some insight into some of the points Will Richardson brought up last night.
I also made a connection to a point made by Dean Shareski. Dean posed a question that I have often wondered about myself, namely are kids simply amplifying existing relationships through the use of technological tools or are they beginning to expand their communities. For myself, I can say without a doubt that despite my technological limitations, I have definitely expanded my community as a result of the things I have tried and the friends I have made through this community based masters of education program. I am beginning to see that the possibilities are numerous as long as I am willing to try new things. I have also come to the realization that there is no weakness in asking for help. For the longest time my aversion to technology was in part due to the fact that kids knew more about these tools than I do. I realize now that kids are an excellent resource to utilize in learning new technologies. Furthermore, they are often thrilled to help,and do so without judgement , as I have seen on a few occasions this semester.
As we are quickly moving toward the end of this class I am happy to be making some valuable connections and insights. I am trying new things and have come to the realization that the world is going to change with or without me being onboard; and as an educator I believe it is essential that I engage myself in the pedagogical shift that Will Richardson believes is occuring.
March 12, 2009 at 2:48 am
Hey Guy,
I too thought about Shareski’s comment and I know they are amplifyng relationships but they are networking in ways where they become friend of friends so it extends far deeper than the amplification. We have been finding connections between students from different communities that previously without social networking would not have existed. Our students are maintaining relationships with people from chance encounters with others at sporting events etc. and then friending the friends of those friends. Many have contacts that number into the hundreds of people. Words
Keep on learning. This world has incredible learnings to offer.
March 12, 2009 at 1:44 pm
I think that certain “older” technologies are safe from the increasing technological world. Newspapers (so far) and books (especially) seem to be exempt from the technological push. I know over the past years there have been technologies designed to replace the book (ebook). I think most people, students as well, prefer the feel of a book in their hands than some sort of technological reader.
The amplifying relationships was a powerful comment. This past year I had the opportunity to take four members of my school’s SRC to the national conference in PEI and networking was the key. It was amazing the amound of comments I overheard walking around the conference saying “add me to Facebook” or “I will add you when I get back.” This networking is expanding the social circles and networks that today’s generations are moving in and around. With sharing ideas/info I see this as a good thing as SRC members can share ideas that work or don’t work. Sometimes we get to blinded by our traditional world and way of operation that these networks might help us shake off those blinders to try something new.
March 14, 2009 at 3:43 am
I really enjoyed reading your insights into your personal tecnologincal journey. I started thinking about how kids have created a family in their use of technology. Stephen also mentions that they make friends of friends, so I wonder if that has something to do with the fact that maybe they feel that they can “socailize” better through a computer than they can in person. Technology is then a shy persons dream….
March 16, 2009 at 4:54 am
Okay . . . call me old . . . I still print off manuals even though ‘help’ is offered on line. I always prefer to have the printed copy in my hand. As sad as this sounds, at the beginning of this class, I printed off Alec’s entire class wiki and the suggested readings – and read them off paper instead of the computer. Yeah, I killed a few more trees than needed be – but my mind has still not jumped into technology. I am trying!!!