And now for something completely different:
Watch my TEDx video.
Now think: how is the information and computing technology changing the way you think and learn? What do you take for granted? What do you wish you could do? Where do you think this is going? And what questions would you ask on this theme?
Let's start here and continue the discussion in class.
I think that the internet has greatly increased the ability for the exchange of information and the creation of new knowledge. The great accessibility and customization of information of the internet is a valuable resource. However, I still find that writing down my own notes in a lecture is still important for being able the absorb the material.
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned in class how video games are similar to the virtual-reality discussed in this TED Talk. I certainly agree. This reminds me of a bit of a tangent about World of Warcraft in a daily web-show given by a well-respected former pro-gamer (please excuse the lack of context and bit of language): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1-xTZpYZcI
I feel that, although not tailored toward the exchange and examination of data but rather more toward an immersive story-line, imagine integrating this entire virtual community with those tools.
On that note, I feel that Second Life is merely the beginning of a larger trend. As you spoke about in the TEDx video, the expertise required to analyze data is now the desired skill with such a vast amount of data available. Similarly, open-source development allows for improvements and customization of software, like the virtual Caltech.
However, just as the inventors of radio would not have dreamed of the internet, I feel that we will be surprised by the next step in information exchanges.
Right, I think that games pioneered VR, but that VR has to grow up, so to speak, and become a standard interface to the next-gen Web (cyberspace, or whatever is gets to be). Games are fine, and you can play lame ones on your 2D browser facebook, but that is not all that the web browser is useful for.
ReplyDeleteThe way I like to think about it is that any technology that helps minds connect with each other and with information is good, and the quality of the experience and the speed have grown in time.
Now, I am intrigued by your comment that taking notes helps you learn in class; this was certainly true for me as well, when I was a student. Is this because you are forced to think what the material means, or because having it go both through your input (hearing, seeing) and output (writing) leaves a stronger impression than just the input? Or, what is the useful functionality of note taking? If we can figure that out, maybe we can replace it with something at least as effective -and- more efficient. Hmmm.
In terms of taking notes, I feel that it is closer to the input-output learning. Going through the actual meaning of the material in order to gain a better understanding seems to be accomplished with problem sets. I personally try to copy the exact version of the material on the board from lecture and then like to insert other notes that help me understand the original as I go along. Thus, it would be more efficient to post the original notes online and write the additions on top of those. However, this currently doesn't allow for the input-output
ReplyDeleteI find, though, that if I have a set of notes printed out in front of me, I'm less inclined to pay attention during class. In fact, that's probably why I have yet to stay awake in chem this year. I think that the functionality of note taking (for me at least) is to force me to process the material at least once before writing it down. When professors make mistakes in their calculations, it actually helps me to think on my feet so I don't copy the wrong thing into my notes. The input-output is very much an important part of learning, and I'm not sure there is an effective way to incorporate that into all the new technology that is arising. I know that I can't learn things as well if I type notes vs. write them by hand, which is why I make a point of not bringing a computer to class. I think there are perhaps some old school practices that shouldn't be done away with, given the technology revolution occurring.
ReplyDeleteVirtual reality could be a great resource. Like you said in your lecture, Professor Djorgovski, it allows people around the world to collaborate in ways they were never able to before. It certainly pushes scientific development forward, as people can continue research together from completely different locations. I have a friend who goes to UC Berkeley, and is still working for a research lab in Texas. He Skypes into discussions to offer his input, and his boss could even point the camera at the part of the experiment that wasn't working so he could see it and offer suggestions about how to fix it. Virtual reality would only make this sort of thing easier and better, and I look forward to the things people come up with to allow for this collaboration.
At the same time, I think it is important that we do not lose sight of the importance of human interaction. I've learned that technology, while allowing me to stay in touch with people, also easily leads to miscommunication. Perhaps this is just because technology today is still limited. I've gotten into fights where one person simply leaves, and it makes things a million times worse. I don't know if this is because it is so easy to hang up a phone, or because there is something fundamentally wrong with this form of communication. For my father, at least, he has said it's led to a great deal of hostile feelings in his department at UT. And research is very much a collaborative thing, so there have to be ways to avoid these sorts of issues. This is probably slightly unrelated to the point of technology as a means of driving science forward, but it is certainly something society will be challenged with at some point. There is some sort of delicate balance to be maintained.
Good points, Chloe. There is clearly a need to engage the learning mind somehow, beyond a mere listening/watching. What I am thinking about is, is there a better way than note taking? There must be.
ReplyDeleteAny technology can be used well, or badly (see: guns). People can be rude in person, and electronic communications may make that easier as well, but it is a small price to pay for the overall benefits.
Since we have gone in this direction, there are some reports that you may like to look at in your copious free time... Anyway, at least now you know where to get the links:
ReplyDelete"The Impending Demise of the University" by Don Tapscott
How is the Internet changing the way you think? (Edge World Question 2010)
"The Future of Learning" report (pdf), by Cathy Davidson et al.
NMC Horizon Report 2011, Higher Ed Edition
Digital Youth report
We can discuss any of this that catches your attention.
In my English class, we were discussing the concept of plagiarism and how it's becoming more and more of a problem. Personally, I think it's because of technology. Part of the reason I feel plagiarism is on the rise is because of the ability to copy and paste; the other part is because we don't want to waste our time rethinking what has already been thought. The primary focus of a lot of learning is math and science based principles; this teaches students to not dwell on the past, but to innovate for the future. This mindset is spreading.
ReplyDeleteI, too, agree that there needs to be/is a more effective way of learning than note-taking. I exhibit this concept every math lecture where I only copy the board. I have no time to listen and digest the information he's talking about because if I do, I miss important examples that I could be using in my next homework set.