Sunday, March 26, 2006

Are 'They' Too Wired?

3 comments:

deliab said...

Michael,

I like this quote from an article by Helen Chen:
"One could argue that coping with information overload and developing the cognitive skills to effectively manage and critically evaluate and communicate information are essential to 21st century literacy and students' future success. However, my concern lies with what these digital natives may be losing in the process, namely the opportunity and the skills to effectively reflect on their learning experiences for the purpose of turning those experiences into meaningful and reusable knowledge. Blog historian, Rebecca Blood, states: "We are being pummeled by a deluge of data and unless we create time and spaces in which to reflect, we will be left with only our reactions" (www.rebeccablood.net/essays/weblog_history.html). From Marc Prensky's perspective, this is both a challenge and an opportunity for educators: how to build reflection and critical thinking into the learning process but in a language and format that is relevant to how today's students understand and live their lives".
As Helen asks, ‘Reflection in an Always-on Learning Environment: Has It Been Turned Off?’
I would answer: 'Not necessarily so but we do need to consciously encourage it'. Thanks for your thoughts,
Delia.

pete said...

Hi Michael,

regarding the software developers that were "denied" access to phone, IM, etc.

I like to think that having the opportunity to work on a task totally uninterupted as a luxury.

Its something that I dont get these days.

Michael said...

So Peter, is it something we should be angling for? insisting that we get? Is it the case as Delia suggests that we, as part of the 'always on generation' (and I include myself in that group even though I'm a Boomer)are in danger of losing sight of the value of reflection, and the chance to work at an in-depth task without interruption?

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