What does the future hold for teachers, learners, libraries, schools, and education as a whole? How will Web 2.0 continue to transform the tradition role of both the library and the school? This week's videos had a variety of perspectives on the topic.
Two videos really struck me: Ken Robinson's talk on schools killing creativity and Gever Tulley's presentation on five dangerous things for kids. Let me explain why these videos connected with me: a few weeks ago, near the beginning of this course, I mourned the loss of the simple (see my Week 3 post on finding that middle ground). I wrote about the idea that in this world of digital storytelling (not just storytelling), flashing lights and instant technology, the younger generation are losing an appreciation of the basics, and are instead demanding that everything be digital, bells and whistles included. This is the reason that I enjoyed Robinson's talk: he focused on the importance of simple, wonderful, creativity. His point was not about statistics, about catching up with the younger generation, about adapting or changing; rather, he spoke about the wonder of imagination and creativity. The same can be said about Gever Tulley's Tinkering School. I agree with his idea that children can learn through these hands-on, "old school" methods, of building, playing, and experimenting. Developments in the world of technology should not mean that basic methods of education are forgotten.
So how does fit in with the transformation that will continue to occur in education due to Web 2.0 tools? Simply put, it reminds us to not lose sight of what is important: creativity, imagination, experimentation and play. Educators like Robinson and Tulley remind us that as we continue to adapt and change our system to meet the needs of students today, we must remember that these tools should be enhancing students' skills, not replacing them. This, in turn, is how we can construct new knowledge and develop our teaching philosophies with Web 2.0 tools. We must remember to use the tools to help students use their creativity and imagination: do not let the "gadgets" of Web 2.0 become learning outcomes, instead use them as a way to meeting learning outcomes.
Thinking about how this plays into my own practice: I still have a lot to learn about using Web 2.0 in my teaching. As I have been posting throughout this e-portfolio, I plan on piloting many tools in my English 12 summer school course: a collaborative wiki, podcasts, media collections, etcetera. In this way, I am already thinking about how Web 2.0 will change the course I have. What I plan on taking from this week's topic: to remember that Web 2.0 is a means to an end, not the end itself. As long as I stay focused on using the tools to enhance student learning and to not get distracted by the all the fanciness, I will be on the right track.
1 day ago
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Hi Diana,
ReplyDeleteYou are right that we must not let the "gadgets" become the goal. It's critical that children learn to regard Photoshop and Keynote as tools, not destinations - but part of that comes from allowing them to explore the capabilities of the tool.
To an outside observer, the exploratory behavior can seem an awful lot like "destination" behavior so we have to be careful about how we intervene. I recently posted about the value of "fooling around" with things (technological and otherwise): http://www.tinkeringschool.com/blog/2010/self-provocation/
In the end, I find that minimal intervention is often wiser than continual guidance. Trust that the child (of any age) will exhaust the novelty of the tool and learn to regard it as a tool - you will know that has happened when it becomes part of the process of a larger effort.
-gever
Hi Gever,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your encouragement and for sending me the link to your blog. I read your post on self provocation and honestly, I feel like you've been able to articulate what I've had bouncing around in my mind. It clarified for me what I've been trying to get my mind around.
Thanks,
Diana