Watch these two videos back to back. The second one you have probably seen, but seeing the two in juxtaposition should trigger insights worth sharing about where education, learning, students, and teachers are heading today or need to be. Share your thoughts.
Visions of Students Today (from Michael Wesch)
Social Media Revolution 2011, by Erik Qualman -
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8 comments:
The two videos show the "old" way of learning compared to the "new" way of learning. This doesn't mean that either way is wrong, it is just showing how far behind the "old" way of learning is to the students that are entering into the classrooms. The lact of social media and technology within the college classroom only hinders the students for what is occurring in the world out there.
Even at SJC, the technology within the room are simple (a computer and LCD project, maybe some rooms with a SMART board). However, most of the rooms still have the classic black chalkboards that were probablly with the college when it opened. How can a college like SJC prepare it's teachers to teacher within a media-friendzy world, when the teacher aren't prepared with the tools out there?
Very interesting statements and facts shared in each video. To me, it really came down to connections. The first video seemed to display a frustration about the lack of connections at the collegiate level. The second video used statistics to illustrate how connections have made social media a powerful force in today's society.
To me, the first video said that real intelligence (and maybe achievement or success) is measured by making connections and allowing different systems to work together. The second video then seemed to say the way to make these connections happen and be successful or intelligent is to use technology, or more specifically social media.
While I agree with both of those ideas I do have to say that the rate at which technology has grown over the last 5-10 years in a little bit intimidating. And as fats as it is growing and changing it seems that it also closing some people out of this communication loop. Think asbout it, how many times have you heard someone (typically older generation) say they don't use technology because they "can't keep up?" There is no doubt that technology unlocks doors and creates possibilites for learners of all styles. The challenge is keeping up and, dare I say, being heard in a sea of millions.
After watching both of these videos I found myself with a similar reaction to Ryan- that both videos were framed around connections or lack of connections in the first video. Although, I would have to argue that my undergraduate college did a nice job of linking the disciplines and I felt very connected to my professors, granted I went to and choose a small school for this reason.
I loved all the statistics in the 2nd video because I think it gave a very moving display about how powerful social media has become in today's world. However, I have to ask is there a difference in value between social media connections and real human to human connections? How many times have you misinterpreted an e-mail or read into someone's facebook wall post- implying their tone even if maybe wasn't there...so while social media connections are maybe better then no connection at all, are they an adequate substitute for human-to-human connections, especially in the realm of education? How do you balance both? As easy as replying or posting on social media is- it still takes time- does this time now take way from in person interactions?
Both of these videos make relevant points regarding education and where it needs to go. I thought the first video did a nice job of demonstrating how many educational programs emphasize the teacher being the expert and the student the amateur. Although this is still true in many cases, I think the internet is bridging this gap. The second video was fascinating. It really reinforced how reliant we have all become on the internet. This reliance should be our motivation to use technology in the classroom considering navigating the internet seems to be an essential 21st century skill!
I think that both videos help to explain how important technology has become in todays society. The first one, showing the connections betweeen different schools, or different schools of thought help to demonstrate how we are forced to make connections while in school. These same connections can be made through social media. As shown throughout this course.
The second video gives a great depiction on how important social media has impacted our everyday lives without us really realizing it. The fact that most relationships, most advertising, and one of the most viewed search engines is Youtbe shows how important we as a society value it.
It is just a matter of time when school district and schools will have a great acceptance of the benefits of social media in the classroom.
Social media is not education. You cannot learn how to fish, farm, or hunt through social media ... unless you are connected to someone who will instruct you. You cannot learn how to interact with others through social media, it only makes human interaction more diffecult. The videos show two very different things. The question that should be asked about the first series of vidoes is, What is quality education? and the question of the second series of videos is How can we, as educators, tap into social media (like so many others have) to enhance education?
These two videos were fantastic. The first being the education we probably all had growing up and straight through college. The second is where society is heading and how this world is ever changing and well, so should education.
One statement in the first video about how we are told what to learn. I agree with this statement to some extent, because there are basics that everyone needs to know in order to proceed with anything. However, in this ever changing world, the question is not what we are being told to learn, but how will we use today's tool to learn content in a way that is authentic to us?
For example, in this class, we were told we are to create a website, video presentation, and a webquest. We were told. I am perfectly fine with this, I should be told what I need to do in this class. What I love about this class is that we own our learning. We are given the concept and we have to learn this tool in our own way and adapt it to what we need. That is what education needs to be about.
As educators, we have curriculums to follow, but we must be creative in how we teach our students. We must make it authentic and keep up with the technology of today in order to prepare them with 21st century skills. Many of our students know more than we do about technology, why not use tools that they are interested in?
What is frustrating though, is that all of this technology costs money and many schools don't have it. So my next question is, even if we are prepared to teach these tools, how can we utilize them without equiptment? Many schools can't afford computers, the students can't afford smartphones, and though we all want to do more with technology, money is a huge wall that stands in the way for many schools.
It was interesting watching these two films juxtaposed against each other. The first video spoke of walls of education, both figuratively and literally. I agree that it would be nice if education was more connected, but logistically this is very complicated. How would teachers have time to plan together? How would we make sure out students are getting what they need? How would I become qualified to teach a teenager in this format? The structure of school seems to make sense to me; however, if students were asked to supplement this "traditional" learning with a culminating project that incorporated skills it would be truly meaningful. In the second video the idea of a social media revolution was presented. And as someone who experienced the creation of Facebook in my freshman year of college, I can tell you that without a doubt, social media has changed the face of my venture into adulthood. Students coming through school now have grown up with this level of technology, therefore it is we the teachers who need to catch up. It was interesting to view these two videos next to each other because it brings t the forefront the idea that technology can break down barriers created intentionally or accidently by compartmentalizing. Just a a person does not bring only English experiences with them into my English class, I must acknowledge the whole person in regards to technology. Looking at only part of a student doesn't help them think critically about the world.
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