To me, Wesch's claim about 21st Century students is that they learn differently today than generations past. He believes that, unlike educational reform in the past, where many changes were based on political and theoretical "fads", the reform in today's educational institution is an inevitable technological and cultural shift one will be unable to ignore. Although this shift seems to bring to surface the adage, "Out with the old, in with the new," Wesch believes all is not lost for Traditionalists as he describes this on page two of "The Old Revolution":
"The tools that enable us to experiment with new modes of education are
mostly free, and they can be implemented in many diverse bits and pieces
without the need for large-scale top-down planning or intervention. And
perhaps most importantly, [this revolution] is driven by what one might
call a “rethinking the basics” movement, in which educators everywhere
cannot help but see a disconnect between their traditional modes of
teaching and the world in which we all now live."
So, the second question is "Do I Buy It?" Yes. As a teacher for the past seven years, and an admitted Digital Immigrant
teaching Digital Natives, with each passing year, it has become more
and more apparent that the Technological Gap between me and my students
is getting wider and wider. I think much of the hesitancy to teach
through a technological lens is fear of the unknown. I know structure in my classroom. I know papers in my hand to correct. I know the opening books. I know written essays. I know paper. I know pens. I know desks. But, I also know the importance of relating concepts I teach in my classroom to my students' lives outside of it. So, as G.I. Joe used to say, "Knowing is Half the Battle." Now I need to deal with the other half...not knowing:)
Do you really think we can reform education from the inside out with these tools? I think students buy into the traditional model of education as much as politicians do. If we are careful how we introduce and use technology -- if we use it in organic and beneficial ways -- the use can become natural in an educational setting. But I'm not convinced that we can reform in the way that Dewey and Bruner saw reform -- I'm not convinced we can shift from content-centric to student-centric education -- without political change. Are we going to be able to throw the standardized testing out the window because we're using Web 2.0?
ReplyDeleteAfter todays s.c.w.a.a.m.p lesson it is funny that you talk about G.I.Joe which could be used as an example of whiteness, Americaness, and maleness, but the slogan IS the best part.
ReplyDeleteLooking back at the history Wesch gives it was interesting to me that there have always been two sides that have always said the same thing only under different names. History really does repeat itself.
I hope not all is lost for us traditionalists. I believe we can co-exist peacefully with the progressives, in fact I think they need us. there is alot to be said for the way things were done.
ReplyDelete