What are the core principles of education?

I was reading the article “Incubating Next-Gen.Edu” from Campus Technology June 2008 this morning; it was one of the articles Patsy provided at yesterday’s Blue 2.0 Party. I enjoyed the article but it made me think about something’s related to education. I should note that I am impressed with the resources that UC – Riverside has committed to technology on their campus and in particular to the classroom discussed in the article. However, (you knew this was coming) it also made me think about whether or not similar gains in student learning could be completed in a more cost effective, lower technology format.

The article describes how the classroom was completely reconstructed and implemented several unique pieces of technology, but also integrated other lower tech ideas as well , for example using different colored carpet squares to assign people to groups, using white boards around the room and flexible classroom design of moveable tables and chairs. One of the pieces of technology that was discussed included a remote control that would enable a student or group of students to revise and edit another group’s work being shown on the screen. While this is really cool, my question is whether or not this same idea could be implemented using the white boards and different colored markers? Does so much money need to be invested into a single piece of technology when something already exists that does the same basic thing?

I do tend to be conservative, being defined here as more contemplative about change, regarding education than others who are likely to read this post. I do wish to squelch the creativity for developing new technologies, because I realize the benefits they can provide because I recognize the need to have people around me who are more progressive, being defined as more willing to promote change, by increasing technology use in the classroom. I am very happy to work with people, some progressive and some conservative, with differing views on implementation of technology. By working together, and occasionally butting heads, we are able to develop ideas, programs, and good efficient uses of technology to make the instructional practices more effective for student learning.

One part of the article that deserves overwhelming support was that UC – Riverside had developed a unified approach to technology. This makes things easier for faculty and students as all technology systems are similar and thus easier to use, once the system is understood by the user.

On a different topic, this article also made me think about what are some of the most important things we want our students to take away in order to be productive citizens 5, 10, and 15 years into the future. This brought about the title of this particular blog, “What are the core principles of education?” One thought that came to mind was the importance of good writing skills, and it is not just the act of writing but being able to express one’s thoughts in a clear and organized manner, that takes into account different opinions and ideas, and argues for a particular idea based upon evidence. I also see that it is important to learn to work well in small groups, to take into account different ideas and incorporate them with those ideas already formed in your mind. It is also important to be willing to build upon what is already known and understood. The final point is to set up student learning so that they know that it is important to be flexible in their learning and that people learn things in different ways and it may be necessary to adapt their position in order to accommodate someone else.

Some will argue that it is important to teach how to use technology and other things, but at the rate at which technology changes, is that a good use of resources? How often do I spend time now using Basic to program a computer, yet I spent a great deal of time doing that in high school.

My conservative nature says not to change for the sake of change, but to change for the sake of improved learning opportunities!

Wiki, wiki, wiki whaaa!

Alright the title of this post is a very lame attempt at putting the "scratching" sound of rap music in the 80's into words.

On to the important part of this post, I did successfully create a wiki for myself. I do wonder if I did something wrong though. I created an initial post with my question, "Why is it so difficult for me to accept the idea of people desiring to be in constant communication with one another?" On another page titled "My New Page" I typed in my response to this question. My concern is around the idea that it doesn't look anything like Wikipedia and how people are able to read and respond to that. I have noticed that I have had 11 visitors, but no one wrote a comment.

For those of you looking to help me out my wiki title is "fromgenxtomillenial" found on pbwiki. Any advice and input would be greatly appreciated.

Module 2 Part 2

Well, I just completed Module 2 assignment 2 without crashing the net! Whoo Hoo! I found the directions easy to follow. I successfully subscribed to the Blue 2.0 web page and then tried unsuccessfully to subscribe to another blog. So I tried again, and again, and again. Not being completely stupid, I tried a different blog and was successful and then tried another blog and was successful. Whew!

Well I don't know how much I will use this new updater feature, but I will give it a try. I am not sure if it will make my life more complete or compel me to stay more connected to the internet and sitting at a computer. Please see my comment to Kirk about the new Apple I-Phone!

David

Module 2 Part 1

Well, I finally got around to completing this assignment. I was able to tag my blog and comment on someone elses blog. Both of these were very easy to complete. The biggest difficulty for me was to follow the directions. Not like that! After I completed the tagging part of the assignment, I was losing track of the the step number to begin the comment part. I wonder if it would be helpful to break this up into two small assignments so it is easier for the participant to follow the directions.

Comfort level increased

I suppose one of my issues is my paranoia. I now feel comfortable enough to include my real name on this blog. It took a couple of postings for me to realize that it is okay to not use an alias.

Without doing any research, I wonder if my distrust of others, or paranoia, is related to being part of Generation X. I hope it is not a sense of maturity, because that can't be, I will grow old but I refuse to grow up!

It has been documented that Millenials are used to putting all sorts of information about themselves up on the web. I am not there yet and I don't know if I want to be there. There is something to commend those who are willing to put all parts of themselves out there for the world to see, it doesn't fit into me and who I am now.

After watching some of the videos people have posted, and visiting the UK Art Museum this past weekend, I can't help but think of Andy Warhol and his famous phrase, "In the future everyone will be famous for 15 minutes." I doubt if I am the first person to consider this idea, and I highly doubt I will be the last, but by posting things to the web and trying to be outrageous really make you famous? Does posting a video of you doing something completely moronic, like jumping onto a trampoline from the roof of your house and flying into another building, fulfill this need? Does using a social networking site to brag about your weekend or other activities matter?

If you are still one of millions of people trying to out do everyone else in some form, and not succeeding, is that really different from sitting in a large lecture hall and raising your hand at the same time as 300 other people? What are the chances of getting noticed (aka famous for a moment)?

This idea of posting all aspects of my life so people will pay attention to me and make me "famous" may be a barrier I am not willing to make and as a result inhibit my ability to be a Millenial.

Of course there is a flaw to all of this...I am writing out my inner most thoughts and ideas about this on the web for the whole world to see...am I seeking to become famous by demeaning the idea of becoming famous????

David