In his video From Knowledgeable to Knowledge-able, Michael Wesch makes the argument that our schooling practices, even the ones he utilizes, are not preparing our youth for the problems they will face as a generation. Wesch asserts that rather than focusing on real world applications of information and skills like collaboration, our schools are like cathode televisions: one way conversations that tell you how the world is rather than discussing it with you. In this format, the media and teacher decides what information is delivered and the viewers and students simply accept the information. This arrangement does not aptly teach our students the skills that convert knowledgeable people to knowledge-able problem solvers. I propose a "YouTube Arrangement" as an alternative to television: instead of telling students how the world is, they choose their forum perspective of viewing just as anyone can find what they want to learn on YouTube. Instead of being an audience, students are encouraged to create, publish, and collaborate with others. This format can achieve the transition that can solve the problems our planet has yet to face.
This tells students that the answers they are looking for are with the teacher. However, this layout is constricting. It only allows teachers to ask the questions that teachers know the answer to. Students are unable to ask, discuss, or solve problems that do not have solutions already. It is obvious why this is not a suitable preparation for the real world.
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While many are quick to say an old dog can't learn new tricks, White reminds us that "it's not about academic or technical skills it's about culture and motivation." (White 2013)
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Teaching Teachers TechnologyContentThere is a disparity between what students need to know technologically and what teachers can provide. The goal of this blog is to bridge that gap by providing short tutorials on useful technology for teachers! AuthorDonald Buckley Archives
April 2017
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