Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Chapter 9

There were a lot of lofty ideas in this chapter, some of which won't happen because of funding, resistance from the masses of educators, and the status quo. On the other hand, the chapter points out something very important. The way we teach and the way kids learn are becoming more and more out of sync. Kids have grown up with visual imput, massive amounts of data and intereactive electonic enviroments and we're still asking them to copy down notes off the board.

I wish I knew the answer. It makes me think that this generation of home schooled children with parents who are utilizing online tools, are probably faring better than the masses. I looked in the front and Chapter 4 offers some hope with success stories. I'll be reading that one next.

1 comment:

Raven About Web 2.0 Team said...

"We need to prepare students for their future, not our past."
the quote comes from Rich Moniuszko, Deputy Superintendent of the
Fairfax County (Va) public schools.

I think this really sums it up in a lot of ways. Educators have to stop teaching in their past.... it ain't gonna work!

I really think we have 3 levels of educators:
those who see the need to change and look for opportunities (or make them)
Those who will do it if we bang on the door and offer the training to them.
And those who still need to be convinced that change is not only needed but here! Some of the people in this group are our newest teachers who coming out of very traditional training programs - and those who are in the awkward border between the Web 2.0 natives and the complete digital immigrant. I think some of them feel they are much more tech savvy than they really are.

Ann