Chapter 7
Quote: Pg. 90 – “you live, you learn,” –“lifelong ability to learn” – “homo sapiens, homo faber, and homo ludens – or humans who know, humans who make (things), and humans who play.”
Question: What are pros and cons of learning, making, and playing in a virtual world?
Connection: We have been taught to become lifelong learners and we have been asked to express ourselves and our learning through social media and blog posts. Our 20% project is a great example of choosing a fun and playful topic and blogging on our progress.
Aha!- In this book, we are encouraged to enter the digital world and find our identity within. However, I feel this digital world does not exist but it is a gateway for many resources. I will use the digital world for its many functions but I won't move away from the real tangible world full of face-to-face conversations, holding a book in my hands, etc.
Chapter 8
Quote: Pg. 101 – “hanging out is a social, not merely technological, activity. It is about developing a social identity.”
Question: If hanging out is a social and technological activity, what will happen to human interactions if everyone will eventually prefer online/digital interactions? Wouldn't this create unhealthy social identities if humans only have digital identities and no belonging with real people?
Connection: I feel the emphasis of using social media venues in our technology class has been a bit overwhelming for majority of the other teacher candidates. We have been told that posting numerous posts and comments on Twitter, Google Plus, etc. will help us learn how to use technology. I feel technology and the Internet are tools but the overuse of social media takes me away from my own developed understanding of the Internet. I understand it is better to be prepared for the future which is leading to a more digital classroom but it seems our constant postings and tweets are a bit overkill.
Aha: I have chosen to just use the Internet as a resource and not hang out for social and technological reasons. I will spend my time online learning new strategies and resources for my lessons and classroom. Students may use the Internet for the development of their social identities and messing around but they should not limit themselves to using the Internet as their main source of information.
Chapter 9
Quote: Pg. 106 – “Imagine an environment where the participants are building, creating, and participating in a massive network of dozens of databases, hundreds of wikis and websites, and thousands of message forums, literally creating a large-scale knowledge economy.”
Question: Can't the schools start providing technical/alternative classes where they can learn practical skills (auto shop, cooking, balance check books/how to do taxes, plumbing, construction) that give them options for the real world instead of having mad World of Warcraft skills or able to send multiple texts/tweets a minute?
Connection: We are facilitators of learning and we are responsible for our students in the classroom. We need to help them prepare for life outside of high school. They need to be strongly encouraged to use their time wisely and learn as much as they can (book smart and street smart) so they can survive in our society.
Aha: The digital world can provide diversions from the harsh realities of life and school and it is good to get away for a few moments. But, there needs to be a good balance between digital and reality. We must not forget conversations with real people and the impact they can have. I remember many family events where I had conversations with relatives and I remember these way more than what app I used or who I texted that day. Real conversations matter. My friends and I keep in touch over social media because we are all in separate places i.e. San Diego, L.A., Chicago, Ventura, and St. Lucia in the Caribbean. However, I appreciate when we all get together over summer because we are all in the same room having conversations. Social media is helpful with long distance friendships but not when all the friends are in the same city and within a short driving distance.