Connected Journey Day One
Will Richardson Reaction

After watching Will Richardson's video I had very mixed emotions.  While I understand his perspective, I don't agree with him.  I feel Will took whole meaning out of "learning" when he used the history question example.  It is extremely important to teach our students how to learn.  In every job you will have to memorize something, whether it is the computer terminology for a technology specialists or the human body for a doctor.  I understand that specific information such as "positive and negative aspects of Uthman's Caliphate" may not be relevant in most all professions but I do think learning how to find this information, internalizing it, and explaining it is a skill within itself.    Yes we have the technology to just ask Google, but what exactly is that teaching our students. 

As for the cinematographer,  what an awesome passion.  It is rare that students as young as himself know what they want to due for the rest of their lives.  I feel this student is in the minority and many students are just trying learn and figure out what interests them. 

We are evolving and as educators it is our job as educators to prepare students for this new world.  In the same aspect there is still a very important piece where students still need to know how to read, interpret, analyze, and explain what they learn.  We can use new technology to do this, but we still have to teach, and guide our students to find the answers. 

Change is among us and self directed learning is important, but so are the "old fashion" aspects of teaching.  Some students may not be able to self direct, so teachers are important to guide students in the right direction. 

We do have access to all information but it is not always accurate and students may not know what information to believe.  I grasp that we now have 2 billion ways to connect to many different "teachers."  I fully think it should be a tool used in education, but it is still so new that we cannot fully grasp exactly how to use it.  I don't know if I am ready to encourage my students to interact with 2 billion strangers.  I feel like we are parenting more than necessary.  When do the parents get a say?  Our students are connecting lots on their own and it is hard enough to keep up with their use of technology, let alone to integrate it to everyday classroom use.  By the time teachers understand what they are doing, they are already onto something else.  Teachers are starting to use facebookm and students are starting over facebook and onto twitter. 

I am excited to see what education will bring us and I hope to continue to evolve with my students.  I hope to take the opportunity to help my students access knowledge in the appropriate manner.  Thank you Will Richardson for your input!