http://gettingsmart.com/blog/2012/02/10-benefits-10-concerns-about-the-shift-to-digital-learning/
This is another amazing blog that I've been reading.
Interesting that I have often thought that America's issues are slightly different from ours here in New Zealand, however, this posting has really highlighted all the aspects of this digital learning phase of education that are impacting us as teachers.
The 10 benefits and 10 concerns identified here by educators that gathered together at a conference YESTERDAY in America, are the same as I've heard expressed by educators here in NZ too. Many of them still uppermost in our minds! (the immediacy of this opportunity to share current thinking from across the globe - all discovered through my own reading and ploughing through material shared via twitter - is incredible to me!!)
The very first benefit that came up for them was increased Engagement, which aligns with our observations here at Vardon school as well as the beginnings of a different kind of parental engagement. I'm particularly interested in the progress we make with this this year!
Some really interesting concerns being highlighted as well- changing from the old paradigm to support learners is particularly challenging for me - an idea emulated by Kevin Honeycutt is our obligation as teachers to "Keep up" and implement new paradigms! Another concern echoes one that I have, that of the possibility that we are simply layering technology over the top of what we've always done. How do we NOT do this?
A very thought provoking web page to visit!
It's great that you have been using twitter and reading others blogs. That totally inspires me to do more research in the things that I am interested in.
ReplyDeleteYou pose a great question of how do we not layer technology on what we have already done. It would be and interesting conversation to have with our staff, especially as we are into our second year on our journey and this could be a next step for us.