George Siemens and Michael Wesch in the podcast entitled “Future Learning” state that the reason young people are able to successfully use Web tools, such as Facebook, Wikipedia, etc. is due to their willingness to experiment. I can attest to that. My boys have been playing/exploring WorldofWarcraft for awhile and they love it. Siemens makes reference to this game and 2ndLife. I have asked my youngest to show me the game. I’m not really interested in learning how to play but I figure I should see what the commotion is about. The point has been made several times throughout the course material that” the importance of a tool is not realized until it is used” (Siemens and Wesch). I don’t see how WofW can be useful but one can never tell.
Siemens (podcast) states that a core skill that educators will need to develop among students is how to function in a constantly changing environment. I agree, however, I think Boards of Education first need to assist teachers in how to function in this fluctuating environment, and then we can focus on teaching students. A class such as this one is a perfect Professional Development opportunity to assist educators in moving forward, into the 21st century. My participation in this class is due to a credit requirement for the completion of my Masters. I probably never would have taken such a class on my own. I’m glad I did. It has provided me with access to the world of our young; vital when working with youth. I’ve been sharing some of the tools, such as, YouTube, WordPress and Voicethread with colleagues. They are resistant, and yes, even afraid. Emotions felt by many!
How then do we get teachers to explore the various educational tools out there? Do we mandate it? Other professions do, why don’t we? Money, time, resources (computers)? I have a cousin who is a pilot for Westjet. When technology changes he has to be trained to use it otherwise he’s pretty much useless. How can we effectively do our jobs when we are not trained in the tools of today or the tools of the future, as “the future is already here” (Siemens, podcast)?
Well, I’m off to play World of Warcraft. Talk to you soon!
Alec Couros said,
February 3, 2008 at 4:58 pm
WoW is one technology that I have never tried but really should. Kudos to you for experimenting, that’s what this whole class is about.
Angie Balkwill said,
February 4, 2008 at 6:04 am
I think the change will have to occur from the “bottom up”. Students will teach the the teachers and the teachers will have to teach the administration. Scary notion for many adults!!
roadrunner said,
February 4, 2008 at 1:23 pm
I think the analogy to corporate training is an important one. Too often we see ourselves as “learning organizations” because learning is our core purpose but don’t truly understand organzational and individual change. The learning from the corporate world is that we can’t expect change to just happen. Systemic, focused, diligent, and committed leadership (in every corner of the organization) is necessary to achieve change.
Cindy
Shaun Loeppky said,
February 4, 2008 at 11:08 pm
My son is deep into WOW and a former member of Runescape. He came home one day and mentioned that a medieval history class he took was especially easy because many of the questions on mining methods and ore combinations (to make metals) came right out of a game he played online as a “virtual” mining character.