The Internet Provides Connection to Students

Global partnership and global communication are what is needed in order to solve our global problems. As Cathy Davidson points out in her talk, our current education system cuts students off from one another, and cuts students off from the experts. With the Internet, students can be connected to others, learning from others, and getting feedback from others. This is the new model for education.

I watched Salman Khan’s talk about using video to reinvent education. He now feels like he has left a legacy because his videos will be available for students all over the world, long after he’s gone. I like that he talks about how videos are giving students the ability to learn at their own pace, because they can pause or rewatch lessons. I also like that he discusses the idea of a flipped classroom. Students watch the lesson, then connect, collaborate, discuss, problem-solve, and create with the presence of teachers and peers.

Cathy Davidson says that if teachers can be replaced by computers, they should be. This is not saying that she thinks computers should replace teachers. She believes teachers should be providing expertise, support, and connections in a way that computers cannot do. This supports Khan’s vision for a flipped classroom. Student’s watch the lesson and then work together, with support from teachers and peers to practice the skill in order to reach mastery.

Some questions that I wrote down during Module 6 included: What if the word distraction was not in our vocabulary? Is ADHD a symptom of our flawed education system? How are Digital Natives’ brains different from Digital Immigrants? Other than for direct instruction (like Khan), what is the potential for video use in the classroom?

I think the biggest themes I see between creativity, digital literacy, and digital citizenship are creation and sharing. The internet has changed the way humans communicate with one another. Anyone with an internet connection can share their ideas and creations on a global scale. By sharing, consuming, creating, and remixing in a whole new way, we raise the abilities and potential of humans to a higher level. We must equip students with the skills to participate in this new digital community.