Thoughts on "Learning in New Media Environments" - Dr. Michael Wesch

I really love TED.  I love that I can listen and think.  I love that so many people are willing to share and put themselves out there with their passions, questions and want to connect.  To date, I have not seen a bad TED talk.  I hope I can one day be as thoughtful and provocative and these speakers.

Dr.Wesch's experiences and ideas are very thought-provoking.  I know that sounds pedantic and trite, but really, I'm thinking.  I don't teach big lecture classes.  I don't teach undergraduate classes.  My teaching is more focused, grounded in a larger mission and with a clear and deliberate "applied" focus.  However, I'm pondering what APPLIED means.  How do I ask student to co-learn with me and how do we apply what we've learned together?  What is "relevant" to students?  How do I ascertain relevancy?

As I mentioned in our first class session, the epistemology of knowledge has shifted.  Who are experts? What counts as verified, real, quantifiable knowledge developed through accepted research methodologies?  I don't know.  What purpose does this packaging of knowledge serve?  Whose purposes does this packaging serve?

Another thought that flitted through my mind is related to the narrative Dr. Wesch shared regarding the culture shift that occurred when a census was introduced.  Wow.  I have to reread Freire with this narrative in mind.  Is literacy always a means to power?  Who is defining power?  For what purpose and with what outcome?  And who is calling the shots in the context?

Finally, Dr. Wesch has made me question how we complete assignments this quarter......hmmmm......how might the JDP class share their future scenarios and take advantage of a broader learning community???