I can’t stop learning. I don’t think that’s a confession. I hope it isn’t a confession. It’s more a statement that should be recognized as universal.
I can’t stop learning. We – the people – can’t stop learning.
But where is the learning happening? And how is it happening?
Kids from 8-18 are consuming approximately 10 hours of media a day. Minority youth are closer to 13 hours a day. That’s important.
How are schools around the world coping with this digital/media revolution?
A 2010 study done by PBS and Grunwald Associates shows that nearly all K-12 teachers use some form of digital media–including interactive games, activities, lesson plans, and simulations–for learning…more than 62 percent report that they use digital media frequently (two times a week or more) and nearly 24 percent report that they use digital media every day for classroom instruction.
By 2015 the entire nation of South Korea will have completely digital textbooks for all of their K-12 students. Technology must be used as a tool to reach and engage students. Companies like Piazza have come from groups of students given the license to collaborate and create with digital technology.
The desire for student driven content is increasing at such a rate that old models of “top down” publishing will no longer be able to sustain the weight of educational demand. Last summer the U.S. Department of Education announced the creation of its National Learning Registry, an on-line reservoir for digital learning content from all over the nation.
But what tools do students and teachers have to critically examine this content? Where will they get them?
There are no real start to finish tools that create engaging, 21st century content made FOR the people BY the people.
Until students begin to see the deep value of learning made relevant to them – what are their role models for learning? Where do they look for these role models? In the media!
The kind of lessons learned by Ferris Bueller and Cameron Frye about life, family, love, anger, honesty, and friendship have resonated with youth in the decades since the film was made.
The legendary car scene teaches a necessary life lesson under three minutes – that is efficient education.
Learning happens through experimentation and memories linked to tactile experience:
The 1999 cinematic masterpiece, “The Wood“, starring Omar Epps highlights the journey of three best friends growing up in Inglewood, California.
Learning happens through experimentation and memories linked to tactile experience:
The deep philosophy of Mr. Miyagi was eternally embedded into the human psyche through The Karate Kid. A simple four words demonstrate the power of a balanced universe and self-knowledge found through inner peace. These powerful words were then repeated by Jackie Chan to remind a new generation of what they may have forgotten.
Learning happens through experimentation and memories linked to tactile experience:
Learning happens when it’s not forced. When you’re comfortable and you’re motivated and you feel like your actions will bring something valuable into the world. Learning happens when you do the unexpected. Learning happens through risk-taking, through drastic circumstances, and through tension resolved by breaking through.
Let’s not be afraid of the unknown. Let’s see what we can come up with together, but we must have the tools to experiment first.
PS – newquill
newquill 