After learning about a networked student, I began to ask a fascinating question, why does a networked student even need a teacher? The student can listen to professors from ivy leagues schools through podcasts, communicate through blogs, research information, and post what they have learned, all through the internet. As we watch the video, it begs the question if the student never has to go to class or even needs the text book then what is the actual purpose of the teacher. Wendy Drexler answers this at the end of the video. Both the importance and purpose of a teacher is made very clear.
According to the video a teacher is one who:
- Teaches the student how to build the network
- Offers guidance when the student gets "stuck"
- Shows the student how to communicate properly on the network and ask advice from experts
- Explains the difference between good information and propaganda
- Demonstrates how to turn a web search into a scavenger hunt
- Get's excited for the student's discoveries
- Help the student organize information
- Overall the teacher hopes the student will maintain his learning network to navigate the future and become a change agent!
This was a great video, a teacher is important for the above reasons and a connective teacher raising up many connective students ensures that after the end of the semester a student will maintain what they have learned and continue to pursue greater knowledge and share it with the world around them. Teacher's are very beneficial, and this video proves that they serve a greater purpose than simply grading papers or passing out tests, but truly shaping tomorrow's leaders.
In all honesty, this video made me want to be in her seventh grade class. I completely envied her, because I surely didn't have that when I was in middle school. The class sounded innovative, fun, organized, liberating, and educational all in one, while even teaching the students responsibility!!! Does it get any better than that? I don't think so! Because of the personal learning environment, everything she needed was so neat and organized, unlike a normal science class, where papers are everywhere, microscopes flying here and there, books weighing you down, and students throwing out excuses such as: the dog ate my homework. I think that the PLE gives the students more access to information through the internet but also teaches them responsibility because if they want to get their work complete it's up to them to complete it.
I also thought it was very advantageous that the students were able to interact with actual scientists rather than just read about passed down information recorded in a text book, but through the internet could almost experience it firsthand!!! These are definitely valuable skills that will pay off in the future!
The Machine is Changing Us
This presentation by Dr. Wesch was so great, he covered many valuable and relevant points. For starters he brought up a very thought provoking subject, of how technology dictates our conversations, so our conversations are always changing. That is very true! Our conversations often times do change and do conform to the ever changing rate of technology. Not only that but he talked about how this generation is on a search for identity and recognition and that our core value is narcissism thus producing this "all about me mindset." He also mentioned something very shocking and that was that this is the most "about me" generation but also the most miserable.
he also mentioned a book called Ethic of Authenticity by Charles Taylor. In the book it discusses that we are sliding towards self centered modes of self fulfillment and that we are sharing less and less of systems of meaning. This leads to disengagement, focusing only on self and fragmentation, or multiple beliefs.
Throughout his presentation, Dr. Wesch determines that you come to know yourself through your conversation with others. New media creates more conversational routes, which would in turn allow one to become more familiar with their authentic self!
Through a student experiment he discovered that in a face to face person, you bring forth a different version of yourself, however when you are using a lap top or web cam for instance you are talking to the camera, or lap top, so there is a lapse in conversation.
He also brings up a hero who calls himself 'one man' who went out and searched for people who were willing to connect with him, so he walked around with a free hugs sign. Through you tube connecting with people became global because so many videos were posted.
So although you tube does contain things that may seem irrelevant to our life, it can promote and tear down the narcissistic ideals that have broken down our society.
I also thought it was very advantageous that the students were able to interact with actual scientists rather than just read about passed down information recorded in a text book, but through the internet could almost experience it firsthand!!! These are definitely valuable skills that will pay off in the future!
The Machine is Changing Us
This presentation by Dr. Wesch was so great, he covered many valuable and relevant points. For starters he brought up a very thought provoking subject, of how technology dictates our conversations, so our conversations are always changing. That is very true! Our conversations often times do change and do conform to the ever changing rate of technology. Not only that but he talked about how this generation is on a search for identity and recognition and that our core value is narcissism thus producing this "all about me mindset." He also mentioned something very shocking and that was that this is the most "about me" generation but also the most miserable.
he also mentioned a book called Ethic of Authenticity by Charles Taylor. In the book it discusses that we are sliding towards self centered modes of self fulfillment and that we are sharing less and less of systems of meaning. This leads to disengagement, focusing only on self and fragmentation, or multiple beliefs.
Throughout his presentation, Dr. Wesch determines that you come to know yourself through your conversation with others. New media creates more conversational routes, which would in turn allow one to become more familiar with their authentic self!
He also brings up a hero who calls himself 'one man' who went out and searched for people who were willing to connect with him, so he walked around with a free hugs sign. Through you tube connecting with people became global because so many videos were posted.
So although you tube does contain things that may seem irrelevant to our life, it can promote and tear down the narcissistic ideals that have broken down our society.
Excellent post Carrie!
ReplyDeleteI agree it would have been great to be in a 7th grade class like the one the student demonstrating her PLE was in. Her personal learning environment is well planned and organized. To me its like a well organized binder on steroids. And, I think this student is exceptionally bright.
the personal learning network (PLN) like the PLE demonstrated by the seventh grader, is a valuable organizational tool. This is why the PLN is assigned to students in EDM 310. Hopefully you will use this strategy with your students.
Your blog is awesome! Keep up the good work. SS