Quote: “What happens to learning when we move from the stable infrastructure of the twentieth century to the fluid infrastructure of the twenty-first century, where technology is constantly creating and responding to change?” Traditionally, people tend to think that learning takes place inside the classroom. After reading chapter 1, it is apparent that learning is taking place all around us. Technology provides unlimited resources to learning and thus we must rethink traditional beliefs about learning.
Question: This chapter talks a lot about imagination and its role in 21st century learning. As a math teacher, I struggle with harnessing my own creativity. My question is- how do I develop lessons that bring out the imagination and ingenuity of my students?
Connection: I connected to the story “Click Here to Start Learning” about Tom and his experience with Diabetes Daily. When I have faced challenges in my life, I have found the most relief by listening to the experiences of others. It is comforting to see that I’m not alone and that others have persevered. This section highlighted the importance of community and the ability to connect with others. In the 21st century, that community may come in the form of online chatrooms like it did for Tom.
Epiphany: An epiphany I had from this chapter is about online gaming. I know many people who are avid gamers yet I have never seen the value. I have even thought of those games as “a waste of time”. I was struck by the fact that learning can occur through play so I may need to rethink my stance on gaming.
Chapter 2:
Quote: “A second difference is that the teaching-based approach focuses on teaching us about the world, while the new culture of learning focuses on learning through engagement within the world.” This quote describes one of the differences between the new culture of learning and old culture of learning. In the old culture, the teacher holds the knowledge to transfer to students. This is very a teacher centered approach, which puts most of the responsibility and action upon the teacher. In the new culture, students take on more responsibility in the learning process by doing, experiencing, and connecting.
Question: What role do I, as the teacher, have in cultivating a class whose culture emerges from the environment?
Connection: At my first clinical practice site, the classroom environment I worked in was more aligned with the old culture of learning. While I really enjoyed that experience and I learned a lot, I am really looking forward to taking on more responsibility at my current site where the classroom environment is more aligned with the new culture of learning.
Epiphany: I grew up with the old culture and I believe it worked well for me (I like direct instruction because it’s what I know). However, I realize the old culture may not be as effective now for this and future generations. I need to shift my thinking and become more focused on what’s best for the students rather than what worked for me.
Chapter 3:
Quote: “Embracing change and seeing information as a resource can help us stop thinking of learning as an isolated process of information absorption and start thinking of it as a cultural and social process of engaging with the constantly changing world around us.” I liked this quote because it talks about the importance of accepting change and the social aspect of learning in this 21st century world.
Question: Play is described as a way to embrace change. That said, how can I incorporate more “play” and engagement in the mathematics classroom when I feel so pressed for time to cover the standards?
Connection: Reading this chapter I am reminded of a quote-- “change is the only constant in life”. I say this applies to teaching as well. Even with all the planning I do for my lessons they never go exactly as I planned. Sometime I run out of time and sometimes I don’t have enough time. Being flexible and willing to change/adjust is a vital skill for all, especially for teachers.
Epiphany: Growing up, I loved the Harry Potter books. But until now I really never considered them as a learning experience. I had this crazy belief that it was a “fun” book, which meant was not educational. This chapter has made me question that old belief I held and see that it’s not what I learned from Harry Potter, but how that matters.
Source:
Thomas, Douglas, and John Seely Brown. A New Culture of Learning: Cultivating the Imagination for a World of Constant Change. Lexington, KY: CreateSpace?, 2011. Print.