A10MakeshiftCrew

A10MakeshiftCrew

To-Do

The paper makes this claim: “Web 2.0 is creating a new kind of participatory medium that is ideal for supporting multiple modes of learning.” For purposes of this assignment, pick a mode of learning which you consider the most important and most exciting for YOU!

Which idea/claim discussed in the article did you find most interesting?

Anne: I found the idea of a modern-day apprenticeship most interesting. I always wished for more apprentice-like learning in undergrad. I especially wished for it once I arrived in the workforce and had almost no functional experience in manufacturing plants. Though, I doubt that online learning will ever substitute for actually being in a plant. But, at least I would have learned my chemical engineering more permanently. I know that learning would be more fun and productive if we could establish a "learning to be" academia.

Alberto: I found the idea of Learning to Be the most interesting. I found the idea of open source development the most interesting part of that. I feel like you can learn a lot from open source development, especially with all the help available to you online from other developers who are also learning, but at their own pace. This kind of hands-on learning prepares you immensely for the real world because it teaches you to reach out for help as you need it.

Kyla: I found the idea of the long tail in learning to be most interesting. I had never before considered that the internet was making it so that people don't just buy bestsellers, but buy whatever specific thing they are looking for. In the end, I wonder if this takes away from some of our ability to connect with each other and relate. Since we have almost everything at our fingertips, might we never stumble across things we weren't looking for? Are we losing something with our shared knowledge of bestsellers and other common things?

Bobby: I found that the idea of social learning was most interesting. Instead of the traditional way of learning, students can work (ie. discuss, ask questions) about the subject matter with other people. The process of learning is different in that students are more engaged and are able to interact with other people instead of just being isolated within their own minds.

With which idea/claim do you disagree the most?

Anne: I wonder how the the schools will be able to pay salaries once more and more students find the free versions of learning to be more desirable. How is this sustainable in the long run? I completely agree that we will have to make the system more conducive to the rapidly changing job/skills market, but how will educators continue to make a living? Will people start getting certificates? How will employers measure new hires without degrees? Based on experience? What if someone is changing fields?

Alberto: I disagree with the idea of learning in online places such as Second Life. I feel like learning in a virtual world classroom is no different than learning in a real classroom. The only difference I might see is students losing interest in a lecture and be able to just walk away from the computer (and stay logged into the class), where in a real lecture a student would not be able to walk out of a classroom without certain repercussions.

Kyla: I don't necessarily agree that Web 2.0 is the main thing that is sparking Learning 2.0. I think that the changes that need to occur in education are a lot bigger than just incorporating technology or becoming more "demand-pull" oriented. Education is a complicated issue, and while technology may help, it's only one tiny piece of the puzzle. I think that the bigger pieces right now are about reversing inequalities, providing equal opportunities, finding ways to attract and respect good teachers, creating new classroom strategies that engage students, etc.

Bobby: I don't agree with the fact that open environments create content and the process by which it is created are equally visible, thereby enabling a new kind of critical reading.

What learning style did you choose for purposes of this assignment?

What percentage of your overall educational experience is "Learning About"?

What are the strengths of "learning about" from your experience?

What are the weaknesses of "learning about" from your experience?

What percentage of your overall educational experience is "Learning to be"?

What are the strengts of "learning to be" from your experience?

What are the weaknesses of "learning to be" from your experience?

Do you agree or disagree with the following claim: “everyone is interested in something and feels passionate about it.”

Name something that YOU are personally interested in and feel passionate about.

Is the following statement true for YOUR passion: “for any topic that a student is passionate about, there is likely to be an online niche community of practice of others who share that passion.”

If not: could it become a reality in the future?