we’re entering a digital age where students access the information they want—how they want it, when they want it and where they want it (think personalized learning at any time, place or pace). This will have a profound effect on critical thinking as people are increasingly fed only the exact type of information (specific political views, topical book themes and local environmental conditions) and sources (individual blogs, new media and ethnically oriented online spaces) to which they digitally subscribe. In many ways, hyperpersonalized (customized) digital spaces have the potential to limit students to only the content that they want to see, hear and read about. While considering personalization and technology, we need to think about the role of critical thinking, diversity and chance (serendipity), and their importance to learning and society, and to the long-term implications of driving digital personalization (customization) in terms of the future of public education.
imagine people so complex.. that when we give them that freedom... those adjacent possibilities not only grow.. because of our innate curiosities.. we no longer have people living fake lives with papers proving they are other people. trust is huge.. but the partial freedom we keep trying to offer, because we assume we can manage that... is much more risky.. no?
Nov 23, 2011
JR Dingwall said...
This is precisely where we as educators need to address digital citizenship and information literacy. If we shift our focus from the teaching of straight facts (which often can be googled in a matter of seconds on a variety of platforms) and focus on critical thinking, IL and DC then maybe students will be able to look beyond their own views.
Conversely the previous system often did a great job of indoctrinating our youth. Teaching one side of history. Teaching one view of social sciences, or maths, or science. Marginalizing groups of people in the process. The "Age of Fox News" in nearing the end, we should prepare our youth for the information age.
Conversely the previous system often did a great job of indoctrinating our youth. Teaching one side of history. Teaching one view of social sciences, or maths, or science. Marginalizing groups of people in the process. The "Age of Fox News" in nearing the end, we should prepare our youth for the information age.