Chapter 9: New Schools

This chapter reiterates the importance of transforming education to meet the 21st century needs and states that unless we close the gap between what is and what should be, "while a few will accomplish so much, many will accomplish little, and the window for imagination and boldness will be lost."  This quote spoke to me as, frankly, I thrived under the old educational system of memorization and the accumulation of knowledge.  Yet, I realize that a lot of my peers did not fair nearly as well and I wonder how many failed and were left behind.

This chapter also has an article by David Warlick entitled, "Learning From Games."  In looking beyond the games themselves to the experience of gaming, he articulates the attributes that assist learning .  Never having played a game myself, this was a very interesting article to read.

This chapter also posits the idea that if Amazon can provide book recommendations based on an individual's purchases, why can't an education program do the same with educational avenues based on student achievement and interests.  

Chapter 7: Online Safety and Security

The best thing about this chapter  is the number of web sites mentioned that will help teachers not only understand copyright and blog & wiki issues, but allow them to use specific sites designed for classroom use.

It is obvious that adults view the internet more as a tool while teens view the internet as a place to hang out with their peers--and while they "may" understand copyright in principle, they don't let the rules stand in their way.

I was also left wondering if our district's AUP has been undated to take in these web 2.0 tools.

Chapter 1:New World, New Web, New Skills

"Today's education system faces irrelevance unless we bridge the gap between how students live and how they learn."  Web 2.0 tools have the potential to revolutionize teaching and learning in order to better educate students for a 21st century, global society.  These tools will allow more creativity and collaboration and  students can be more responsible for their learning choices.    However, for that to happen will take a revolution; and  I am pessimistic for the following reason:

1)  No matter what studies have shown time and time again, our school system is entrenched in out-modeled ways:  schools still close for 10 weeks in summer so that students can help on the family farm, educational testing and labeling is legislated to the degree that standardized tests are driving the teaching/learning in schools--and in the admission to higher education.   No matter how many studies show that teenagers need more sleep and would benefit from later start times, it hasn't happened.

2) The digital divide is too large: between states, between districts, between schools and between students (and between teachers for that matter--classroom technology is inequitable except perhaps at brand new schools).

3) I read somewhere that an incredible number of teachers  are soon to retire and the worry is that there will be a huge shortage of teachers.  This might actually be the saving grace.  New teachers who are already required to demonstrate 2.0 skills in their teaching methodologies will be the ones who transform education in the classroom.   Web 2.0 in education may actually attract more people to the field of teaching....but it is the school boards and administrators who first must embrace this new future and who must not only "talk the talk" actually walk in the 2.0 world..

Unless this educational revolution happens, more and more students, parents and communities will turn away from public education.