Summary
This article emphasizes the creative aspect of the new era we have entered with technology. According to Mitchel Resnick, there are several important things we need to consider as educators in the "digital age". One of these ideas is that we need to stop being so information-based and move onto an interaction-based model of education. Resnick says that learning should be "an active process in which people construct new understandings of the world around them through active exploration, experimentation, discussion, and reflection" (33). Rather than using computers and other technologies as information-gathering tools alone, we should begin to use them as a medium for developing our own meaningful ideas.
In order to use computers as a "universal construction material", we must become completely comfortable with them. Resnick refers to this as being "digitally fluent...not only knowing how to use technological tools, but also knowing how to construct things of significance with those tools" (33). Pretty soon, being digitally fluent will be just as important as being fluent in the national language of the country you live.
In an attempt to help people gain digital fluency, Computer Clubhouses have been developed in several different countries. These clubhouses do not only provide access to technology, but they also help people to become comfortable using computers as a creative tool for self expression and things that interest them. Mike Lee is a good example of young man who came in as a "high school dropout" and left as an artist.
As computers advance and new kinds of technologies develop, concepts that used to be hard to teach are now at the tips of our fingers. As teachers, we have the responsibility to "rethink how people learn...what people learn...where and when people learn" (36). As we move into the "Creative Society", we must learn how to apply our creative abilities using technology in our lives everyday.
Reflection
Reading this article made me feel lucky, nervous, and excited all at the same time. There is something really cool about all the new opportunities we will have as teachers by the time we get into the classroom. The little girl in the article who made a bird feeder that took pictures was really inspiring to me! It makes me feel lucky to be going through school in 2010 and I feel excited about all the cool things I'll be able to teach my students. At the same time, I feel nervous because in order to teach my students with all these neat tools, I'll have to understand them first! Hopefully this IT class will help me gain some digital fluency!
Jessica I could not agree more about being nervous to learn all of the new technology that is going to come in the future. When we are teachers we are going to need to be able to use this technology and hopefully be able to teach our students how to use it too and that scares me because I am not very good with technology as it is right now! I also enjoyed the "computer clubhouse" stories. The part about the teenage boy named Mike I think was really inspiring too. It is amazing how influential a program like "computer clubhouse" can be!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your summary as well you did a great job explaining the article!
Jessica, I loved the example you used from the article about the little girl and the birdfeeder she made using digital technology. When I read about her in the article I thought to myself, "that is too cool!" Like you, this article really inspired me to work to familiarize myself with the technologies available to us, so that I can help my future students create things that they can be proud of. Just think about how great it would be to help your future students tap into their creativity, like the girl in the article. As far as your nervousness about becoming "fluent" with digital technology, I don't think you have to worry. Our society is only going to become more and more centered around digital technology. From your summary and reflection I can feel your enthusiasm about becoming digitally "fluent". By taking classes like IT and keeping up on the resources that are available, I think we will be able to do some really great things with technology in our classrooms!
ReplyDeleteGreat article review all around, young lady!
Katie- It's nice to know that I'm not the only one feeling that way! You should read Angie's comment though, it's very reassuring!
ReplyDeleteAngie- Thanks! You're right, as the need to become "digitally fluent" becomes more and more important, we will be given more and more opportunities to work with different technologies. Hopefully it will be one of those things that happens pretty naturally!
Jessica, I agree with you on this one. I am excited for the future and how we as educators can use this technology in our classes. On the other hand i am also nervous because we will need to stay on top of things to be knowledgeable about the subject. I posted something on my blog that i remembered from a reading this year that by the time we graduate a certain amount of the material we have learned will be outdated. When i think about this i wonder how "fluent" we really will be when we teach our students. For this reason i think we will have to constantly be exploring this form of technology.
ReplyDeleteJessica,
ReplyDeleteI like how you said how the article made you feel all those different emotions at the same time (lucky, nervous, excited). I think our society now will feel that way for a REALLY long time. Technology is changing so quickly and we always have to be up to date with the latest things (especially as teachers!). I feel lucky that we have grown up with technology and most of us seem to catch on a little more quickly than others that are a little older than us. We just need to remember that we need to keep on top of the latest technology in order to keep up with the students in our classrooms!