Fifth Blog entry -- Week of July 27th
Although this strays a bit from our “assigned” topic, I’m going to try to relate it to my experience in Second Life. Second Life is a web-based material. As for selection criteria for web-based materials, I learned a lot.
To me, Second Life was too…free? Never having been a “gamer” I have not developed that kind of interaction skills. Therefore, if I had to begin a list of criteria for web-based materials, I would say that the selection criteria depend on the user. As a teacher, I would welcome the opportunity and the tool for a student to broaden their horizons, stretch their minds, become a more creative thinker.
That said, this is not the way I would choose to do it. Luckily, Second Life is not the only venue for web-based materials. Web based materials need to do the previously stated things, but I believe it needs to be introduced in segments. Not everyone can thrive in the “throw caution to the wind and go” kind of atmosphere. As I choose, and I hope I do choose, web-based materials I would hope that they will first allow me to get a footing/strong basis for introducing the resource as well as the opportunity to work more closely with the student as they learn AND I TEACH, the manipulation the technology. Additionally, I would hope that there is a very stretchable boundary to its uses.
I have heard of resources like Facebook, Google docs, Snapfish, webspiration, and multiple others that offer online collaboration, instant messaging, document creation, multiple editors, etc. and I’m more than intrigued by them. They are the wave of the present, presumably the future, but in many ways…I’m a past kind of guy. I teach to my strengths which is to say I like the personal interaction with my students. I will challenge them with technology, web-based resources, but I feel that kids still need to know the roots of good, old – fashioned methods of gaining information and experiences. It does not go without saying that most of my students do not have computers or internet access, nor do many of them even know that the FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY can offer these services. FOR FREE I might add.
A part of me says that more minds equals more opportunity and more experience. Two minds think alike. However, without the “traditionals” as I like to call them, what it the two minds are just plain wrong? If anyone can edit Wikipedia or webspiration ideas, who’se to say that there isn’t someone out there, literally sabotaging this information or, PERHAPS misinformation? I hate to be a nattering-naybob-of negativism, as my dad would say, but until we’re playing on even ground as far as education goes, is web-based resources good for only the “special ones?”
As stated, perhaps I’ve strayed a bit from our “assigned” topic, but I felt that even though we as teachers need to know about this technology and this TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY, even use it, unfortunately it is not for nor available to everyone.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Todd
ReplyDeleteI like what you have said about SL. I think there are a lot of good resources out on the web that would do the same job. Like you I felt the free-ness at little un-nerving. I would not feel comfortable bringing younger students in unless it was almost a one on one instruction.
You also mention that you don't have a lot of gaming experience. I am not familiar with a lot of 3D gaming environments, but kids are. We must not forget that our students are not sharing the same environment as we did growing up. The use of a 3D envirnment may be something that appeals to some students.
I personally could not see myself spending a lot of time in SL. But that is not where my passions lie. My point is that SL may not turn out to be a good resource for everything but it may spark our students more than we think.
In your analysis I also heard you speak of the digital divide. This is still a portion of our population at school. For all commercials we see from Internet service providers you would think that prices would come down to some basic flat rate. My mother in law still pays for AOL dial up $20.00 a month. If schools have to provide a students internet experience than we can decide what and where they go on the internet.
Hi Todd!
ReplyDeleteEven if you ‘strayed’ (as you put it) far from the topic of the week, your thoughts are well said! I know how much you like to play devil’s advocate; now I am going to do that to you!
Change is the only constant in the universe. I do not know who said that, and I believe the phrase is common knowledge so I don’t have to cite my source. Those who don’t change are left behind. As educators, we have to remember that our students ARE digital learners. They will have careers that do not even exist yet. We must change with the times to permit our students to be ready for the global marketplace. As a matter of fact, by the year 2016, the largest English speaking country in the world will be China. Currently, there are more honor students in China than there are people in all of NORTH AMERICA. Our graduation rate (from high school) is running at a 1:2 ratio. (Only ½ of our students will graduate from high school!!!!) These facts are scary.
Why is this? Part of it has to do with students learning one way, and teachers teaching a different way. Therefore your line: “I have heard of resources like Facebook, Google docs, Snapfish, Webspiration, and multiple others that offer online collaboration, instant messaging, document creation, multiple editors, etc. and I’m more than intrigued by them. They are the wave of the present, presumably the future, but in many ways…I’m a past kind of guy.” No, you aren’t. You may think you are, but it is far from the truth. Let’s start with the simple, or not so simple, Dreamweaver software. Not only did you figure out how to use it and create with it, but you MASTERED it. All of the above items mentioned are child’s play compared to what you have done over the last 5 weeks. You are no longer a luddite, (look that up if you need to) but you are a MASTER.
Our students are digital learners. Therefore, we need to be digital learners. Like it or not, you ARE a digital learners. Do not be afraid, embrace, encourage, and engage your students—just like you have done to yourself.
Kathryn
Hi Todd! You made some great points! I am so glad that even though you like the "old-fashioned" type of learning, you will venture to try other types of "new" technologies that are being offered. That way you can give your students the best of both worlds! Keep up the good work!
ReplyDelete