Last but not least.....Chapter 9

Right at the beginning, Richardson asks the question "what is going to be the impact on education" regarding all the tools and pedagogies out there. But he also makes a very good point and distinction that with the explosion of the internet and with so much information out there it is important that teachers and students use that knowledge effectively. I think the word "effectively" is key. Just because the information is out there doesn't mean it is useful. I think a lot of what is on the internet is purely for entertainment with little value in the educational arena. But a lot of what is out there does have value for educators and their students. I remember as a child I had several pen pals that were from all over the United States. I thought it was sooooo cool to communicate and learn from each other about where we lived and what our schools were like, etc. Of course, we only had the U.S. Postal service at our disposal and so it would be several days before I could receive replies from my pen pals. I think how that would be so obsolete and unnecessary in today's world (using the post office that is....I think having pen pals is a great thing). And, its like Richardson said, "the walls of the classroom are literally made irrelevant...." because technology has created this community of learners that can be near or far. I also think that he gives very good cautionary advice about making sure that our students realize that just because something is posted on the Web does not make it true and I think that is and will continue to be a problem for the "digital natives." But I also think it is not just the internet/web where students fail to be critical thinkers.....I think it is across the board whether it be a textbook or a lecture or whatever they are reading/viewing....they do not seem to scrutinize or think about it and just accept it for what it is. As educators, we need to emphasize critical thinking more.

Richardson uses most of this chapter to highlight the "Big Shifts" that have developed or that will develop as a result of these technologies and the way we think about content and curriculum with the goal of how to best teach students. One of the big shifts, #3, he makes a very good point about the importance of collaboration and how the Web makes it easy for students to produce work in truly collaborative ways for large audiences. In my current job, I have many other labs that I collaborate with be it formally or informally and I can definitely say that it has been very beneficial in giving my work real purpose and real meaning. There is so much to gain from the exchange of ideas, thoughts, recommendations, etc. I can see no reason that this would not be a plus for students in the classroom regarding their work and for educators too. Richardson's next "big shift" was equally profound in that students need to be active participants in the design of their own learning because this ultimately teaches them to take ownership of their lives and future careers. The opportunity for students to have their voices heard, to know that people are listening and responding via what they publish on the Web will could give students the feeling, the knowledge that what they do has meaning....it has worth....and that is something I think a lot of students struggle to find particularly during their teenage years.