It is hard to believe that the semester is almost done. When I reflect on EDL 755 Technology, Culture and Learning course, I am amazed at all I have learned and adapted into my work and school life. I must admit the first day of class was daunting for me. I didn’t realize that this course was going to be a hands on learning class. My perception was that the course was going to be more theory based. I was a little overwhelmed on that first night of class when I couldn’t even figure out how to turn on my computer! My experience was based on using PCs and relatively no knowledge on how to use an Apple computer. Thankfully, I had a fellow classmate who took pity on me. Sam came to my rescue and never made me feel inferior for not knowing the simplest things on using the computer. After the first class, my comfort level increased significantly. This was due to Dr. Kim posting the video tutorials of what we were going to do in class the night prior. I was able to view these tutorials at my own pace, so when we went through them in class I was able to follow along.
There are several Web 2.0 tools I am now using in my work and school life. The top three that I have utilized are Screencast-O-Matic, website development and survey tool on Google Docs. Screencast-O-Matic was a godsend for me in my EDL 794 Seminar course. The final project was to create a movie reflecting on the Educational Leadership Masters degree program at UW-Oshkosh. I had no idea how to create a movie and how to take different media and combine them into one piece. Thankfully, Dr. Kim showed us how to use Screencast-O-Matic, which integrated all of the parts of the media I had created into one fluid whole. In EDL 755, I learned how to use Prezi, which was an integral part of my project. This Web 2.0 program enabled me to easily upload the documents and video clips into one document. In addition, I am also excited to use Screencast-O-Matic in enhancing the websites I manage at the college. I am a visual learner and know firsthand how helpful it is to have tutorials to facilitate learning. My plan is to use Screencast-O-Matic in making tutorials on the NEW Manufacturing Alliance and North Coast Marine Manufacturing Alliance’s websites, so job seekers are able to understand how to fill out the ‘Network Profile’ form. This application form provides job seeker the opportunity to connect with over 80 employers that have job openings within their companies.
Google Docs was another important tool I learned in the program. I oversee a healthcare alliance that has been struggling to find a low cost website to house their work product. I was relieved to learn that Google Docs has the ability for someone to create their own website at no cost. I looked like a hero to the alliance members when I told them about the free website. In addition, on the North Coast Marine Manufacturing Alliance’s website, I created a Google Doc survey form for companies that are interested in joining the organization. If I had to go to the website developer, it would have cost the organization hundreds of dollars to create a membership form. Google Docs to the rescue again!
I especially enjoyed reading the books that were assigned in the course. Misa (2010) “Leonardo to the Internet” helped me see more holistically the changes in technology over the centuries. At first I thought, “What does Leonardo da Vinci have to do with a class on computers?” Needless to say, he was extremely influential in leading man to great breakthroughs in technology. I also enjoyed the discussion of whether technology caused culture to change. I agree with Misa (2010) statement “It is a mistake to believe that technology by itself ‘causes’ change, because as argued above technology is not only a force for but also a product of social and cultural change” (Misa, 2010, p. 315).
The month of November was pressure-filled with needing to read two books in one month and write reflection papers for both. I was relieved that both books were engaging and made it a pleasure instead of a chore to read. Nicholas Carr’s (2010) book, “The Shallows: What the Internet is doing to our brains,” gave me a better insight in how our brains have changed in living in the digital world. As Carr (2010) stated about our brains is “Calm, focused, undistracted, the linear mind is being pushed aside by a new kind of mind that wants and needs to take in and dole out information in short, disjointed, often overlapping bursts the faster the better” (Carr, 2010, p.10). I am similar to Carr in my inability to read for any length of time. I once was vivacious reader and now struggle to read a few chapters in a book. The author reflected that maybe there is a reason why he like myself are not reading books like we once did. Carr (2010) stated, “Because of the ubiquity of text on the Net and our phones, we’re almost certainly reading more words today than we did 20 years ago, but we’re devoting much less time to reading words printed on paper” (Carr, 2010, p. 88). I also liked Carr’s description of how we are ‘skilled hunters’ as we search through the Web. As I read a webpage, I am looking for key words and clicking on hyperlinks to hunt down the topic I am researching. The problem is often this type of hunt causes our learning to be quite ‘shallow.’
Shirky (2010), “Cognitive Surplus: Creativity and Generosity in a Connected Age” was extremely interesting to read. It discussed the benefits and challenges in living in a participatory age. Before reading this book, I never gave a lot of reflection to the problem we had due to the monopoly the media had in determining who was worthy to be published. Living in the digital age as Shirky (2010) explained “And today, the revolution is centered on the shock of the inclusion of amateurs as producers, where we no longer need to ask for help or permission from professionals to say things in public” (Shirky, 2010, p. 52). We now are free to share our thoughts and knowledge to the entire world. A fun YouTube animated video examines this new age between the internet and print media is found here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRlKol4Usxw
This cognitive surplus as Shirky (2010) describes “allow people to behave in increasingly generous, public, and social ways, relative to their old status as consumers and couch potatoes” (Shirky, 2010, p. 63). One problem is there are still ‘couch potatoes’ or in Shirky’s term ‘freeloaders’ that take from the cognitive surplus without giving back to the group. One last thought that I thought summed up the novel was Shirky’s (2010) description of our new connective tissue “In a historical eye blink, we have gone from a world with two different models of media-public broadcasts by professionals and private conversations between pairs of people-to a world where public and private media blend together, where professional and amateur production blur, and where voluntary public participation has moved from nonexistent to fundamental” (Shirky, 2010, p. 211). It truly is an exciting time to be alive.
The last activity we did in class was to compose a team paper using a Wiki. This was a great opportunity to see how to utilize a Web 2.0 tool in doing a group activity. I work on several committees that could use this tool in working on a project. By having firsthand experience in how to use this tool makes me more confident to use it with others. In conclusion, the EDL 755 Technology, Culture and Learning course has given me numerous Web 2.0 tools to utilize in my personal and work life. It truly was one of the most beneficial classes I took in the Educational Leadership Masters degree program.
