Comments on: Starting Conversations http://weblogg-ed.com/2005/starting-conversations/ The Read/Write Web in the Classroom Thu, 04 Dec 2008 21:57:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Tom McHale http://weblogg-ed.com/2005/starting-conversations/#comment-1617 Tom McHale Thu, 01 Sep 2005 19:03:14 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2005/starting-conversations/#comment-1617 <a></a>True, but I think this goes deeper than just new technologies. If you can easily show someone how a new technology will make their lives easier or more enjoyable they will usually jump at it. This issue goes to the heart of who gets to be seen as an "expert" or "authority" in our society. It touches on intellectual property, on valuing transparency over objectivity, collaboration over individual achievement, and discussion over editorial control. Many of these ideas fly in the face of everything we have been taught and have been teaching our kids for years. That's why this is going to be so hard for many in the education world to accept. Yet, the landscape is certainly changing and unless we find a way to change with it, we will be fighting a losing battle and teaching our kids skills that will not serve them in the real world. True, but I think this goes deeper than just new technologies. If you can easily show someone how a new technology will make their lives easier or more enjoyable they will usually jump at it. This issue goes to the heart of who gets to be seen as an “expert” or “authority” in our society. It touches on intellectual property, on valuing transparency over objectivity, collaboration over individual achievement, and discussion over editorial control. Many of these ideas fly in the face of everything we have been taught and have been teaching our kids for years. That’s why this is going to be so hard for many in the education world to accept. Yet, the landscape is certainly changing and unless we find a way to change with it, we will be fighting a losing battle and teaching our kids skills that will not serve them in the real world.

]]> By: Robert Kennedy http://weblogg-ed.com/2005/starting-conversations/#comment-1616 Robert Kennedy Tue, 30 Aug 2005 21:25:23 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2005/starting-conversations/#comment-1616 <a></a>Will: It's tough being in the vanguard of new technologies. Blogs and podcasts upset comfortable, "safe" thinking and established ways of doing things. I'm sure you'll understand me when I say that plenty of 'establishment' folks will adopt a wait and see attitude about these new technologies. You and I see them as a breath of fresh air. Other's will see them as a threat. Blogs and podcasting WILL revolutionize the way we get information. Rob Will: It’s tough being in the vanguard of new technologies. Blogs and podcasts upset comfortable, “safe” thinking and established ways of doing things.

I’m sure you’ll understand me when I say that plenty of ‘establishment’ folks will adopt a wait and see attitude about these new technologies. You and I see them as a breath of fresh air. Other’s will see them as a threat.

Blogs and podcasting WILL revolutionize the way we get information.

Rob

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