Well, we just finished another online session tonight. Our guest was George Siemens and sticking with the tradition established by previous guests, did a fantastic job. His session was informative, head scratching, and sparked many interesting chats. Thanks again George for a job well done.
A thought came to me during tonight’s presentation as the class was interacting online. I realized that once again I know so little about technology and what is accessible for a person to use. I sat in awe as Alec, Kyle, and Rob rattled off names of programs that they were experimenting with or using full time. I thought to myself once again, I’ve had this thought on other occasions, “How do these guys find all this stuff? Do they have people working for them constantly researching what is new and innovative? Are they online 24/7 and if they are how big is their coffee pot?” But then the light bulb went on and I realized that the answer was right in front of me. Yes they had people working for them but not in a paid sense. The people that were doing the research were members of their online network. I think it was at this moment that I truly came to appreciate how powerful the tool that we are studying in this class really is.
Today at school I also had a couple of moments that I would like to share. During one of my classes I was teaching I was talking about my digital project, a class wiki, to the students and how they were going to be a part of the project. The reaction I got was not what I expected. What I got was a room full of blank stares, looks that said “Oh great” and not in an exciting way, and overall an atmosphere of non-interest. I left the class thinking that my project was doomed before it got off the ground because without the participation of the students it would be fruitless. During noon hour I was walking around and overheard a few of the same students who had greeted me with blank stares as I discussed my project talking with much enthusiasm. Over the course of the morning each of our classrooms had had data projectors permanently mounted and it was one of these projectors that was the focus of the conversation. I overheard these students talking about how it was about time that this happened and that classes were going to be more exciting. I walked away thinking that there was hope for my project. If something as simple as a data projector, which is not cutting edge at all, could excite some students then so could my wiki site. I felt confident that if a few of the students started contributing then the majority would follow.
So here is to the grand unveiling this week. Hopefully my thoughts turn true and my project is a success. If not I guess I can always reflect on what went wrong. Failure is part of the learning equation.
Stay tuned for the next episode. I’m not sure if it will be a comedy, thriller, or horror but pack your popcorn just the same.
Very cool … you’re catching on to all of this. Take a look at what Dean Shareski (our presenter in two weeks) has to say about a similar phenomenon. http://ideasandthoughts.org/2007/04/19/whos-on-your-research-team/
I think you caught exactly what he was trying to say back in April, and you didn’t even have to read it first. Constructive learning!
Thanks for the link Alec. Dean’s comments were very interesting to read. I was really amazed last night that it took this long for everything to sink in. Life long learning…gotta love it.
I see two roadblocks and I think you’ve hurdled the first one.
1. Helping teachers understand what “the shift” really is. As I read your reflections, you’ve already begun to make this shift, which is certainly a journey that many are in the midst of including myself. The challenge is that it really takes time to “get it”. You’re in a position to do that and to influence. I’m hopeful.
2. The second hurdle which you’ve identified is student buy in. I don’t think this as difficult but we have to remember that all our students have been in a system in which they were taught that if they did what they were told in a very teacher directed way, they’d be successful. Most teachers were good this and unknowingly perpetuate this model because it worked for them. When you present a new approach as you’ve done, it’s no wonder students give you blank looks. You’re asking them to invest in their learning. They’re not used to that.
Dean – I had a similar look at the start of my construction 10 class, but its now taking on a life of its own. Go Wiki Go!