Saturday 16 December 2017

When we learn we engage, when we engage do we learn?

When we learn we engage, when we engage do we learn?

We are not makers of history. We are made by history.”

Martin Luther King [2]


The development and launching of the countless amounts of social networking sites has made significant changes to how our world functions. When these networks began, they encouraged millions of people to participate in this new way of life and as evidence clearly showed, succeeded tremendously. Many can argue whether something has a positive or negative impact on our lives, both raising valid points. However, the difficulty is whether one will outweigh the other.
I was focused on social media and will be for my TAI next year, for learning and advancement of students interaction when designing and developing a prototype. I believe we as teachers need to support and encourage better ways for students to use social media as a tool. Social media is our modern day ‘discovery of fire.’ It has spread the globe at phenomenal speed and in many ways, we cannot imagine life without it. A common argument surrounding ‘social media and technology’ is “does it belong inside the classroom?” Journalist John Cloud wrote an article in TIME magazine in 2012 titled “Gadgets go to Class” which regarded the growing occurrence of introducing devices in schools. The concept “BOYT – bring your own technology” allows students to bring their devices not only into school but into classes as a way to interact with each other during lessons (Cloud, 2012). Many different contributors have argued effectively by both for and against this innovation.

Is our future for learning changing? Yes! I believe the style for students interaction must encourage community learning and the ... lovely African proverb: 'It takes a village to raise a child.' This can be said for today's learning and social media if used weel can provide broader connections for information with others.