Thank you so much for sharing the video. You offer excellent food for
thought. There are also great comments. I think we have to be careful not to
assume that so called "digital natives" know how to use technology, especially
to learn. Most of my students are very good with a cell phone. However, I
actually had to teach them the skills needed for this project. BUT, they did
learn very quickly. I just broke down the components and addressed each one as a
separate lesson (e.g. power searching, blogging, RSS, setting up Reader, etc.)
Management was no different than it would be for any complex class project.
Milestones were developed, rubrics provided for the students, and high
expectations were set. Planning is important, but flexibility is more important
for when things don't go as planned. Isn't that the reality of most aspects of
life?Regarding younger students, I believe we have to create networked
learning opportunities that are age appropriate. I teach high school now, but I
used to teach third grade. In order to provide a foundation for networked
learning, the students need solid digital literacy skills. I believe digital
literacy (online reading, writing, analyzing resources) should be the focus in
the lower grades with many opportunities to network with other classrooms around
the world.From the teachers perspective, there is some work required to
organize the lessons related to building the PLN. But, that's because no one was
doing that in the earlier grades. Imagine the powerful learning that could take
place if students came to us equipped with these skills. I know teachers are
worried about extra work. I am, too. But, shouldn't the kids be the ones doing
the work instead of the all-knowing fountain of knowledge at the front of the
room? We truly become learning guides when we change our mindset and put the
bulk of learning responsibility where it belongs...on the learner.
Science News Share Blog Cite Print Email Bookmark Is Technology Producing A Decline In Critical Thinking And Analysis? ScienceDaily (Jan. 29, 2009) - As technology has played a bigger role in our lives, our skills in critical thinking and analysis have declined, while our visual skills have improved, according to research by Patricia Greenfield, UCLA distinguished professor of psychology and director of the Children's Digital Media Center, Los Angeles. See also: Mind & Brain Intelligence Educational Psychology Computers & Math Video Games Computer Graphics Science & Society Popular Culture Educational Policy Reference Computing power everywhere Webcast Computer-generated imagery Aptitude Learners have changed as a result of their exposure to technology, says Greenfield, who analyzed more than 50 studies on learning and technology, including research on multi-tasking and the use of computers, the Internet and video games. Her research was published this month in the journal Science. Reading for pleasure, which has declined among young people in recent decades, enhances thinking and engages the imagination in a way that visual media such as video games and television do not, Greenfield said. How much should schools use new media, versus older techniques such as reading and classroom discussion? "No one medium is good for everything," Greenfield said. "If we want to develop a variety of skills, we need a balanced media diet. Each medium has costs and benefits in terms of what skills each develops." S