Wendy Drexler's The Networked Student outlines what our students should be capable of doing and the role that we as teachers should play. The networked student will acquire 21st century skills that will be necessary for the student to succeed not just in his or her career, but also in life. The networked student will learn how to do adequate research on the internet and to create a network of other informed individuals to learn from. These skills will allow a networked student to be better informed, more adaptable to circumstances and especially new technology, and capable of critical thinking.
In a classroom meant to create networked students, the focus is on the student and the skills he or she has acquired in obtaining knowledge to solve real-world problems. The networked classroom is multisensory which allows for the different ways in which students learn. In addition, the networked classroom is collaborative. Many employers now seek employees who can work together on projects. Collaboration allows for varied perspectives, which may result in ideas from the group that individuals alone would not have thought of or may prevent mistakes because someone else was thinking through the same problem.
However, we also need to keep in mind the limitations of technology and encourage our students to also think about alternative solutions. I recently read a blog by Patrick Ledesma (http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/leading_from_the_classroom/2010/09/schooled_on_my_ipad.html). He talks about how he tried to compete with a person with traditional photocopied research articles and books and a laptop using his ipad. The ipad definitely stood up to the more traditional methods until the other person started comparing articles side by side and doing multiple things at once with her laptop. An ipad can be great and it's all the rage right now, but it does have limitations. We, as teachers, need to remember that technology is not a magic wand that will reform education. It is only part of the equation.
I appreciate your viewpoint that technology is a part of the equation, not the "magic wand that will reform education". As much training and experience that we can give our students with technology is not a guarantee that they will learn. As educators, we still must make learning something that is relevant and "fun" for our students, otherwise it won't matter how many different kinds of technology we use, education me still seem boring.
ReplyDeleteI that your point of network students also being collaborators is valid. Students must learn how to work together on projects and see that they can get just as far, if not further, by using and incorporating the ideas and expertise of others.
~Lori D.
You had wrote, “The networked student will learn how to do adequate research on the internet and to create a network of other informed individuals to learn from.” I would have to agree with that 100% because anyone can look up information on the internet but to get adequate and reliable research and information, it requires the student to learn new skills to be able to look that up and know its trustworthy.
ReplyDeleteIn the environment I work in, we collaborate and share ideas a lot and it does help because we get to see different points of view or opinions that we may have not of thought of before. I like working with groups because it allows the one to be creative, throw ideas out on the table, and see what works or does not work. I think is great that we get our students into work that involves groups because it does prepare them for their lives outside of school and has a positive aspect on their social skills.
Lauren W.
I agree technology is not our "magic wand" and is really just another tool like the invention of the Gutenburg Press. It does ultimately fall on us as educators to feed and stimulate the students desire to learn. You have to admit that the tools we have available to us now are so much more amazing than in years past. That ipad research contest blows away the abacus and calculator trills.
ReplyDeleteI agree that technology is not a "magic wand" and is only a "part of the equation." This is especially important to remember as a teacher for two reasons: 1) Although we may find great technological tools to use with our students, the reality of schools' economic problems will restrict what the teachers can actually put into practice. 2) Even when we do get to use technology in the classroom, it changes so fast that once we fully master a technology tool there are 10 new things to learn about. This does not mean we shouldn't encourage the use of technology, teachers must realize the reality of the situation and commit to ongoing learning and possible becoming the student themselves when the kids know more than the teachers.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Stacy A