Democratization of Knowledge

Implications of Access to Students

TOF4LK 2nd Live Session

February 19, 2014, 7-8:30 pm

2070Would anybody have an idea what this

year will look like? Any thoughts?

Sofia, my 8 year old daughter, will retire in the year 2070

To be prepared for the jobs of the 21st century, do you think the kinds of things a student needs to learn in school are very similar, somewhat similar, somewhat different or very different from what a student needed to learn 20 years ago?

We really do not know what will happen in

2070 or even 10 years from now…….

….But we are tasked to prepare our youth now

as adults in this unknown future.

Learning from the youth instead

Globalization & the Internet

Dramatic technological changes that impacts all aspects of people’s lives

The Workplace

BPOs and call centers; computerized office operations, etc.

EducationTechnology-enabled learning; teachers

act as facilitators and guiding students in the exploration of information

Public Safety CCTV; text messaging; smart phone for video; tracking services

GovernmentOnline services and records; access to information & feedback mechanism for

policy and decision-making

Communication Emails, text messaging, smart phones, e-cards, social networks, blogs, websites

EthicsIt’s not simply about right and wrong now

but more on informed choices of both sides

Knowledge GAP?

Knowledge Access

What is the most popular website for definitions and general information?

Sourcing information as well contributing information

What are our ideas on these key words?

Student’s opinions

Smart phones in class

Lecture capture/recording

Libraries

Departmental exams

Curriculum

21st Century Curriculum

Interdisciplinary

Project-based

Research-driven

http://www.ncrel.org/engauge/skills/invent.htm

Cyberspace is the zone of the younger generations. This in itself is a power-equalizing opportunity.

Why? Because the teacher is not the expert, often the students are the ones that are totally computer savvy.

Gigi Francisco, MC Faculty, International Studies

There is also a sense of uncertainty and element of surprise for the teacher.

Why? It is because cyberspace is such a huge universe that one might not be able to anticipate what and where information is coming from. And this is perhaps the beauty of the new information and communication technology - there are endless possibilities for interconnections and for knowledge creation!

What is also new is that teachers have now become more transparent and accountable for their role as educators.

Why? Because teachers are now publishing their thoughts, ideas and opinions, and learners are now given the opportunity to debate, contest and argue against these. One way is to use contrary opinions of others – bloggers, if you will – that students may post, to generate a debate.

Equalizing power in education is one way that I see the internet radicalizing our times. And when power relations are transformed, there will also be new way of learning - one that generates diversities, contestations, and new forms of inter-subjective humanity. We begin from standpoints-viewpoints and end, hopefully, with more wisdom in the convergences and divergences of our multiple ideas and our sciences. Who knows, we might even end up with a new civilization?

Thank you!

Source: Karen Brooks, Instructional Technology Specialist, Model Schools, Ulster BOCES

kbrooks@mhric.org