Brittany’s Future of Learning Manifesto (with a little help from Christian Long)
1. Playing Small Does Not Serve the World: This is so very true. In today’s fast paced world you need to play big and realize we’re being trained to serve the world. Christian Long said “You’ve got one choice. Play big or stay home. Serve the world or be forgotten.” I agree whole heartedly with this. If you don’t remember these things you’ll be lost quickly. Never settle for too little.
2. What Would Socrates Do?: What would Socrates do?!?!? More like what would Google do??
3. Nobody Cares if You Walked Up Hill Both Ways Barefoot in the Snow: Truth. I’m sorry to say but nobody really does care. I would be happy to listen to your stories, but don’t be offended when I fall asleep. Things are different now, Surprise, I’m not going to change my ways just because of you. Back in the day is, well, back in the day. This is the 21st century people, take memorization for example; its completely overrated. Why memorize when I have Google?
4. Got Passion? If Not, I’ll Tell You What To Care About.: I hate to say it but this is so true. If you don’t have passion for what you’re doing then people will walk all over you.
5. My Memory Is Only As Big As My Heart. Otherwise, I’ll Stick with Google: At first I didn’t understand what this was saying, but it just dawned on me. Memorization is obsolete, I have Google. (Oh glorious Google how did I ever live with out you?) But, if you do want me to memorize something stick a story to it, something that will stay near and dear to my heart. That’s the only way I can truly memorize.
6. Look it Up or Die: “It’s old skool but sometimes remind me to look it up. Or die.” Said Christian Long. I like this. I don’t just need to learn to write down the copyright date and city it was published in. Some day I won’t have time to look at all the information and to write it down on an index card. Teach me early where I can find facts and where I can find fan-fiction.
7. Collaboration Ain’t About Holding Hands. It’s about Going Cool Places Fast: “How big is my classroom? 4 walls or the horizon line?” Good question. Ask the teacher. I would love my classroom to be the horizon line and today that’s what it is. This mash-up, its for a mid-term! Talk about taking the classroom to the horizon line (and being awesome). I had e-mail pals from different countries by 13. I need a network and fast. Teach me how to use more than just Microsoft suite. Take your classroom to the horizon line. Please.
8. This Will Go Down on Your Permanent Record: Your right it will. It’s called the internet. “Today you worry about filters and predators and firewalls and the MySpace boogeymen. Okay, I want to be safe. And I appreciate you wanting me to be safe. I just don’t want to live in a locked box in the process.” Why don’t you instead of blocking me from every blog in existence teach me how to blog safely and use the internet safely. Let us know that everything we put out there is going to stay out there, FOREVER! The internet is a scary place and someday if we’re not careful (or just really unlucky) it could cost us a possible job offer. Don’t ignore this fact completely when you teach me about the internet tell me this PLEASE! Also don’t be too hard on the kids who get past the firewall, use them to your advantage. Hint hint: maybe you could ask for some help. They did happen to slip past YOUR firewall. They must know something. Right?
9. It Ain’t About the Technology. It’s About Being Inside the Story: All this technology is great and everything, don’t get me wrong, but it doesn’t substitute for a real conversation. I love being part of the 21st century! Blogging, video conferencing, Skyping, and Myspace messaging its all great, but nothing can truly substitute for a real life conversation. It really isn’t about the technology it’s about being in the story.
10. Nobody Knows the Answer. Get Comfy with the Questions: Nobody really knows all the answers (not even Google, I know surprising huh?) so get comfy with the questions. Questions are the way we work now. So teach me how to ask good questions, clever ones just like Socrates and the Google developers did.
Who uses index cards. Rhetorical. Don’t answer, just in case…
“This Will Go Down on Your Permanent Record: Your right it will. Its called the internet.” LoL
“I had e-mail pals from different countries by 13. I need a network and fast.” Let’s develop one.
Developing a network is really all about developing a School 2.0. It’s vital to start early teaching with and about technology. I think that smart (and safe) internet surfing is not taught about enough in schools today. Once the bedrock of internet use is laid your options are endless. By 3rd or 4th grade I think kids can be participating in video conferences. Upon reaching middle school kids should also be introduced to things like blogging, and Wiki writing. We should really be trying to develop a portfolio for students early. The internet is the way of the future. Schools should focus on getting their students out there so the world can see their work. Kind of like this blog.
5. My Memory Is Only As Big As My Heart. Otherwise, I’ll Stick with Google.
Why exactly is memorizing so obsolete? I understand that the introduction of sites such as Google and Ask Jeeves have had a drastic impact on our need to memorize, but that doesn’t change the fact that memorizing helps us. I mean, if we become completely dependent on Google, how will we pass our tests and succeed in life? Educators around the world are afraid children losing the ability to memorize (http://www.city-journal.org/html/14_3_defense_memorization.html).
Is Google all good?
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