In the “olden days” kids who felt like they fit in with the culture of their high school, were told of these magical institutions called “universities” – where you were sure to find someone, even just one person, who would have the same interests as you. You were really into all night computer programming marathons in your parent’s basement – well universities had entire departments filled with people with the same interests, you loved to listen to Opera – well that’s what Music departments were all about. However if you weren’t economically privileged enough to find yourself able to go to this place of magic and camaraderie – well you were just out of luck! Not so much anymore….
Field et al’s article is another example of how digital technology can bring the world to you, right in your home, room, or park bench. Young people today have a reach that extends so far beyond their physical and geographical locations – and that same reach applies to the world of opportunities available to them. Being able to work on projects, fiction writing – you name it – with the world’s population as your resource and collaborators is an experience that would have been unheard of 20 years ago.
Not only does this allow students to explore projects they are interested in – but it also gives them a space where they can see what other people are working on. Perhaps even find new interests they did not even know existed.
One thing that especially stands out for me with collaboration and technology – is the difference in the message behind online collaboration. Classroom settings require students to work on projects either solo, or in a small defined group – there is also an emphasis placed on working in silos, not plagiarizing ideas or work – and of course with these messages comes a sense of protection of ideas, and not helping other groups. The digital world on the other hand thrives on collaboration, and idea exchanges, and support. What a great message to young people of today.
As anyone can tell you in the workforce – you never work in silos, you always work as a team, relying on other’s opinions, experience, and ideas. However our school system still hasn’t caught up with the power of collaboration. This is somewhere I think common maker spaces shine.
Through participation in such online spaces, not only do students learn new ideas and information – but they learn one of the most important tools in learning – collaboration!
Field et al’s article is another example of how digital technology can bring the world to you, right in your home, room, or park bench. Young people today have a reach that extends so far beyond their physical and geographical locations – and that same reach applies to the world of opportunities available to them. Being able to work on projects, fiction writing – you name it – with the world’s population as your resource and collaborators is an experience that would have been unheard of 20 years ago.
Not only does this allow students to explore projects they are interested in – but it also gives them a space where they can see what other people are working on. Perhaps even find new interests they did not even know existed.
One thing that especially stands out for me with collaboration and technology – is the difference in the message behind online collaboration. Classroom settings require students to work on projects either solo, or in a small defined group – there is also an emphasis placed on working in silos, not plagiarizing ideas or work – and of course with these messages comes a sense of protection of ideas, and not helping other groups. The digital world on the other hand thrives on collaboration, and idea exchanges, and support. What a great message to young people of today.
As anyone can tell you in the workforce – you never work in silos, you always work as a team, relying on other’s opinions, experience, and ideas. However our school system still hasn’t caught up with the power of collaboration. This is somewhere I think common maker spaces shine.
Through participation in such online spaces, not only do students learn new ideas and information – but they learn one of the most important tools in learning – collaboration!