New historic times require new points of view. New interpretations of the world are necessary. Needs change with time, and so must change the means to satisfice those needs. Education is no exception. In this video a student challenges the conception of education, and the concept of the internet, all at once. In her video she shocks educators. She represents the current, great challenge education is facing. Education is not presented here as a mechanical process anymore, but as an autonomous continuum of knowledge which is acquired by students independantly. To learn means, now, to get to know anything on your own. A teacher is not, like in ancient times, the only knowledge source, but rather a guide through all the multiple sources available, particularly the new information technologies. The corelation between education and the internet has tightened and has also, of course, affected the concept of the worldwide web. The internet used to be a huge archive of data, created and used by a selected group of people. Today, the internet is personal, anyone can have acces to it easily and conviniently. Besides that, it is a powerful tool for communication and education as well. Interactive content is available and students are now presented not the flat monodimensional idea of the world but a rather holistic perspective. Multimedia has changed the way people learn. It has turned education into a more interactive activity. The world presents itself now in video and in color, in movement, in sound, in opinion, in beauty, in cultural diversity.
The internet, just as this child has put it, has turned into a Personal Learning Environment. Students can learn and interact at their own pace ( more respectfully that the traditional educational model) They have more engaging writing experiences, they interact with other people interested in the topics of their quest. Students do research faster and easier. Students learn to reflect about what they read and what they write. Students with access to the internet are expanding their worlds and interests. Students can choose now how to do things, they are not puzzle anymore about doing it or not doing it, now it is a matter of HOW I am DOING IT!
See the video at the following link! Leave your comments, please. They are greatly appreciated!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEls3tq5wIY&feature=player_embedded
Edurenovator, I concur with your arguments. This student has really launched a platform of learning using the web 2.0 tools. She is indeed 'moving with the times'. Educators had best utilize technology in the way information is disseminated to the students. Welcome to the wonderful World Wide Web.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. A student should be able to learn at his/her own pace. The needs definitely do change with the times.
ReplyDeleteWell written and full of cogent points. The role of teachers is definitely changing, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. If anything, our role has become even more important. I am mindful that Wendy in the video has a very progressive teacher guiding her - a teacher that has opened up a world of learning for Wendy and others in his or her school.
ReplyDeleteCan we not all strive to do the same?
I agree with you on the points that we teachers are guides. So, we are there to facilitate their learning. We are in a time when teachers are no longer seen as the ALL in ALL. There are some much avenues out there where chilren can learn, not just from their teachers. I am happy that Wendy's tecaher has guided her in a direction where she can learn and direct her own learning. WOW!
ReplyDeleteThe more I read these comments the more I think that we as teachers need to be somewhat like Wendy in order to improve on the teaching and learning process. Change is necessary and is needed for future growth and development. We need to understand that in order for education to be meaningful in this time and age, technology has to be employed so I do support you on that.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that education is linked to the usage of the internet more than we know.