Seeing hope and possibilities

What a new experience as a student to have a class where we are encouraged to use social media..EVEN IN CLASS!!!

I must say, this idea of incorporating tech and social media into our work was a bazarre idea for me as it always seemed to be something used and explored Outside of the 'working' environment. I guess that is how I was brought up, in our formal school systems and being a bit more reserved, it seemed bazarre to post my private life for the whole world to see.

I'll describe our era of students as the 'inbetween-tech-teens'. We were teenagers in the era where cellphones started out and social media slowly  started appearing and then all the possible things you can do with these thechy stuff nowadays. In other words technology wasn't as in-your-face when we were younger as the teens today.

                                                             davidewart.typepad.com

I was never a big supporter of the concept of sharing private info online mainly because of the dangers that comes with it, but how can we as growing and learning and communal human beings ignore this 'in-time' resource of info and contact?? 

As any other resource used there is danger involved, as well as endless possibilities. But also as with any other resource use, there creeps in the misuse thereof, as we see with natural resources as well as social bullying. 

Because of this fact I can totally see the relevance of digital pedagogy we are taught and need to teach this new era of teens/children/also adults on how to use these tools responsibly. Social media is not a place anymore for sharing whatever whenever you want... there must be a sense of responsibility with using these incredible tools and also basic socially acceptable 'rules'. We as the teachers of tomorrow's leaders need to connect the past with the present; bring the outside and inside classroom together; to make our teaching relevant. 

BUT, eish, what if Eskom strikes again!?! Like the article argues on going unplugged on the digital tools. As much as we need to integrate these technologies into our classroom experiences, we cannot be totally dependent on them. Then practical activities replicating these tech worlds of the teens will be a great substitute in lessons like we 'tweeted' sticky notes all over the class (see below). Great incorporation of the cool social media into a practical, face-to-face social environment!

 As example of this; in class we had to stick up a 'post' with sticky notes saying: "I am here because..." and as I'm very careful of what people see me writing or seeing my thoughts, I just gave a nice broad politically correct description of why I want to be a teacher. 

"Ek is hier om 'n positiewe opbouende verskil te maak in die wereld."

translation: I'm here to make a positive, constructive difference in the world.

But when I thought now about my answer, I think this new digital teaching and learning era we want to enter is specifically there to tackle this broadness of thinking and become more specific and also not afraid of critique. There is so much information in the world and now we need specific ideas and inventions to use this knowledge for specific problems and tasks at hand WITH the technology (and resources) we have available. 

Hopefully I can rephrase my above statement later this year using the technology and info I have in order to identify specific problems and come up with specific solutions.  

Love ya'll