Week 4 Digital Platforms Shape our Learning

Mr. Rogers had it right from the beginning, PBS rocks!  I thoroughly enjoyed the video. 

I was surprised from the beginning.  I had predicted that the video was going to spotlight high school or college students doing the work.  Considering that I began this course as a 20^th century teacher I think I’ve moved quickly in my understanding that there is a real need for me to change.  There are only a few parts of me that are hesitant about doing this.  Perhaps one of the few remaining barriers was removed.  If students this young demonstrate such a high level of thinking, than really my own students and children should be able to as well.  I can’t imagine that the teachers are more capable than me or that their students are better than mine. 

The difference really must be the way in which technology is used.  One of the last barriers is me.  Can I be the old dog that learns a new trick?   I’d like to observe the teacher’s lesson plans and planning process, checklists, and assessments.  I’d like to compare their work to mine to see how drastically different mine is.  I’m curious how far I am away from being able to do this.  We didn’t see the discussions or the practice work (all the pedagogy) that I assume the students and teachers did in the previous days or weeks.

It was fascinating to see how libraries and after school organizations have changed their style, not their mission.  These places used to be places to do your homework or shoot some hoops.  Now they are offering digital media; helping kids become passionate about their interests.  Because they know that if kids develop an interest and passion they will figure out a way to learn.  

I can hear some of the faculty members at work balk about digital media.  It will mean another thing.  I would tell then that in order to change they will need to unlearn, grieve, and re-learn.  I would also tell that that although it moves away from the traditional reading and writing activities, it replaces it with meaningful, engaging, and motivational ways to learn.  While reading and writing are required they are no longer the focus for the final product.  It is also important that teachers see the success students are having in the classroom.  Just like this week's video gave me an idea of that success. 

It is interesting to ponder the idea that 20^th Century Learning was just about the content.  21^st Learning is about moving from the individual learning the content to the collective experience where the learner not only has to learn but teach others something they have learned.  21^st Learning empowers the individual to travel down a different path where they will learn to be confident, creative, and believe that they can contribute something.   Perhaps teachers need to move their pedagogy to the 21st Century for the real reason of meeting the learner where they are instead of demanding the learner to meet the teacher.  Perhaps that is the key to motivating the most difficult students?  (I think I just connect to differentiated instruction.)

As a side note, I have been really curious about how to embed a video into my blog.  So let's see what I can find and do!  Here is a little video about how many teachers feel and will continue to feel if they choose to stay in the 20th Century.  

(Oh my gosh, that was EASY!)