LearnHub

This video sends out a message about technology and education. The fact that the whole process of the surveying, documenting and production “Vision of Students Today” was done using technologies that are now a part of our daily lives is very interesting. To me, this video begs the question: does technology hinder or encourage thought?

On one hand the students discuss how Facebook creates a distraction in class. Yet, most students use this tool to connect with friends and keep up to date on various social facilities. Where does education fit in? More and more, technology is become part and parcel with learning; a good example of this is LearnHub itself! Technology has the ability to decrease the gap between geographies and cultures. It also creates more avenues for learning, discussion and debate. The world of “the scholar” is being expanded; in many cases each one of us is an expert on something.

The students at Kansas State University also bring into context communication guru Marshall McLuhan. Isn’t it interesting that the beginning quote of the education establishment of fragmented structure was written in 1967? Where has the education establish lead to today? Is information still scarce? Has technology helped bridge this gap? The common tug here seems to be again, the distinction between education and technology. It may be possible to say that technology is truly changing the way we learn, and adapting the structure in which we access information. Not only through a wider access generally, but also in the distractions we may come across. There are different paths in which we come across to get our information, whether it be to “follow” the blackboard and the professor or access information through other means such as Wikipedia.

So, where does this fit in with the SATs? I feel it sheds light into thinking about the whole picture of the institution of the standardized test and the learning it encourages. It is the application of knowledge and invoking our creative thought in projects such as this at Kansas State that inspire us to look beyond the repetitious nature of studying for the SATs. University and college not only provides a space for higher learning, it encourages different learning. So, when you’re reading, writing or calculating out your answers for the SAT, think of the privilege of knowledge and its continuation in your life. Since it is this “vision of students today” that keeps further education going, beyond the sometimes seemingly fragmented nature of such examinations.

Interesting video… And so are other videos by professor Michael Wesch, specially this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4CV05HyAbM&feature=user

Personally, I believe that the point is no longer whether you have or not access to information, but what you do with the information you have. I developed this idea further in my thesis, but the main point is that information has no intrinsic value; it derives its value from what you get using that information.

Back to education, it doesn’t matter if you use a chalkboard or an Internet-based tool; what really matters is whether the students are being stimulated to think or not, whether they have to discover, create and use information or just have to decorate it. These skills will create the future leaders.

I had the opportunity to teach some courses about project management using study cases and this is a completely different experience. Students have the opportunity to share and discuss, different points of view must be considered and a decision must be reached. It’s really rewarding to participate in such an environment.

Cheers