I was sitting in maths earlier this week, learning about some formula that I'm almost certain I'll never see again after my exam in May (unless I fail that is...) when I turned to the guy sitting next to me and told him about the Blog I wrote a couple of days before hand, and how there were people out there taking a serious interest in my opinion... which to be honest really surprised me. When I had finished the story there was a pause. He then asked me, "What's a Blog??"... My only thought after that was if only he knew. If only he had discovered. Not just what a Blog is, but what a Wiki is, what an RSS or and Atom feed is. How it could benefit him. If only he had been taught... There are those people who don't know about Web 2.0, what it is or what it could do for them, but there are also so many people out there that fear the whole Web 2.0 or school 2.0 idea, there are even those who still fear the whole concept of the internet. But why? Well, like I said in my last post, people fear it because they don't know the facts, the benefits or the potential. This is human nature, people fear the unfamiliar. So why aren't people made aware? Why not eliminate the fear and let them discover what all these tools can do for them. Give them the opportunity... at least if they knew the facts they could make their own educated decision about whether to use it or not.
I would like you to think about how it could be if school 2.0 was put into place... there are teenagers my age that could be in school not only learning about English, Physics or History, but gathering their own information about whatever aspect of that subject they need to know about, not only relying on that one person standing at the front of the class telling them how it is. They could be writing Blogs or making Wiki's about what they have just learned about, and discussing it with others, not just from the same class as them, but from different parts of the world as them. What's more is that it will all be there to refer to when exam time comes around. All the notes they've made, all the Blogs posts they've made and all the discussions they've had can all be accessed by typing in the URL... no more sifting through a years worth of notes crammed onto sheets upon sheets of A4 paper. This is one of the main reasons I value the idea of School 2.0 so much. But why stop there? Music, art, film, literature, people have so many different hobbies and interests, so what's to stop them making Wiki's about these interests, what's to stop them blogging about the latest film or album. Taking what they have learned about Blogging, Wiki's and RSS (among other things) and using it as a recreational tool as well as a learning one. The potential is there, people just need to know the potential, know what the tools can be used for and know how to use them. It's in the hands of our education system, do they stick with the same old methods or do they upgrade and develop along with technology? Well, If our education system takes the next step then these next generations can still learn what they need to know, but in a much more advanced, a much more modern and a much cooler way. If they stick with the same methods then yes, students still learn, and still find out what they need to know to pass exams... but does this help them in todays society, one which is becoming more and more reliant on computers... and especially the internet?
The Bass Player
About Me
- Sean "The Bass Player"
- I'm a pretty laid back and creative kind of guy. I love music of any sort, I play double bass, bass guitar and a bit of electric guitar. I love technology, especially all the wonders of the internet. I'm not the most academic of people, but I don't think that should count for much. All in all I'm happy with who I am.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
The Benefits of School 2.0
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Screenshot
14 comments:
Another thought-provoking post with lots to consider.
I hope you spotted that you are becoming the teacher! By letting your friend know about the benefits of a blog, you are passing on your knowledge. Hopefully he will give some thought to writing his own, then he can become a teacher to others... and so on!
I think one of the really exciting things that the whole '...2.0' gives us is the ability to compare notes and thoughts with anyone anywhere... and knowledge sharing is really what lies at the heart of Web2.0 as I see it and use it...
You're right to say that we need to educate the natives in the use of the tools, so how would YOU go about doing this? ...And yes, this is your next challenge! ;0)
This is an extremely interesting post that I agree almost entirely with. Instead of writing out all of my thoughts on the subject here, I urge you to just look at a post I wrote a while ago about the future of learning.
Have to give you a great deal of credit for continuing to push on the School 2.0 conversation, Sean! What a delightful thing to see upon my return from the conference I had told you about recently. Mr. W's suggestion to you at the end of his comment is wonderful...and the exact type of challenge that you are in a position to embrace over time.
Continue to ask great questions -- the answers are ever-evolving, but the questions are where the real 'money' is in this day and age. And this is what it means to be a "teacher" as Mr. W said to you, as well.
And also a "colleague" as can be seen by the fact that Arthus has left a comment and already a network is being formed. And this is where the real fun lies!
Cheers,
Christian
Thanks for posting this Sean. One of the things I love about using technology is the capacity for learning from people you don't actually know, or have never met in person.
your thoughts on school 2.0 arer really insightful - I find it curious that up until you get to post graduate level in our present education system, there is rarely the opportunity to investigate 'what you want to learn', rather than a teacher or exam driven curriculum. What you suggest would turn that completely on its head, which in my mind would be a great thing. What would it take for school manager to accept this though?
Following on from ab's comment, lets hope that Glow, the Scottish Schools Digital Network may facilitate your ideas, with which I absolutely agree.
Hallejulah Sean! :-)
Hi Sean,
Hope you don't mind me linking to you - your points make it into loads of presentations I'm making around the world at the moment. It's just great that they're coming from the horse's mouth, as it were. Hope the exams have gone OK for you!
Thinking back to my high school days (almost ten years ago now) I was reminded of the stress and tragic circumstances when my physics teacher left our school deserting my class for our final two years of school. Physics was one of my favourite subjects, however, this soon changed as soon as we got our new teacher Mr A who had absolutely no idea about physics. We spent each lesson watching Mini's crash and burst into flames. Mr A thought this was hilarious but no one was laughing when the entire class failed the final Physics exam. This almost prevented me from my dream career. If we had the technology then, that you have now I am sure we would have benefitted. Thanks for your blog.
Hi Sean,
I'm a forty year-old teacher (with a son your age) and a professional interest in what you're blogging.
I would just like to take this opportunity to encourage you further in your thoughts and ideas.
People are increasingly listening and that is to your credit.
Lee
It's not the teachers or even the school managers you need to convince, it's the politicians and the general public.
Education is all about politics and propaganda whether people like to admit it or not. Each country adds its own particular flavour to its education system which reflects, more or less, the political messages and philosophies that the government of the day wishes to impose on its citizens.
This isn't necessarily always a bad thing, sometimes education can have a civilising effect.
Teachers and school managers have no choice but to work to a curriculum. There is some room for innovation but by and large they have to toe the party line. If they don't, ERO can shut the school down.
I used to work for an 'alternative education' secondary school so I feel qualified to comment on this.
Adding to the pressure, most parents want their children taught a particular way - i.e. the way they were taught.
These parents have voting rights. If there was a mass movement on their part to change education, then this would be reflected in the political arena and maybe, things would change.
Most teachers, in my experience, are idealists and want to facilitate real learning but they become battened down and depressed by the reality of the job and the horrible realisation that they are mere pawns. Having students moan about how bored they are just makes it worse. After all, didn't they come into the job to change the world, make a difference etc etc?
Things are different at tertiary level because there the students, rather than the parents, are the paying clients.
I wish you luck anyway, with your campaign. Your blog is articulate which goes a long way to convincing an audience!
From a cynical ex-teacher who now earns twice as much doing half as much work and would never go back to the job unless starvation loomed....
If your idea is applied the process of learning will be much more interesting and productive.
Interesting post. I love the internet, and all the learning possibilities out there. I have cultivated a music encyclopedia in my head thanks to the obsessive downloading and wikipedia/myspace/music blog searches provided by two-point-oh. Not to mention all the films that stuff like IMDB and netflix allows access too.
It's also pretty powerful to read blog's from the soldiers in Iraq, and other politically powerful and literate people.
I agree that culturally, politically, historically, etc etc etc. the internet is so valuable to the growing teenage mind, or ANY growing mind, really.
Oh, by the way, I'm Lindsea. I'm doing the Students 2.0 thing also.
Thanks for the reply Lindsae! it will be good working with you on the new project!
Please don't keep the nonteenager from learning too! I really get both teachers and students angry with me when I tell them we are all learners and I am not in charge, not in control. Well, it's true, I only manipulate the environment, facilitate, & pray the internet or server doesn't go down!
Post a Comment