I've recently started reading the e-book. Having only started reading the book the two key ideas that i have inferred thus far are:
- We cant just wait and see with future education, we have to have, and know, where the future direction will be. It can be a wait and see, and then adapt approach.
- The future of education can not be solely directed by economic developments.
We don't want to get lost within the 'Bright Lights of technology and loose the core focus-learning and success for our Mangapapa School learners. I found this internet link:
http://innovativelearningdesigns.ca/wordpress/?cat=6
which very much mirrored our mirrored our Mangapapa School starting point and development to date. I'm not sure whether this is a good thing or a bad thing. Are we heading in the right direction or are we travelling down the same narrow 'device' driven pathway of other schools, within Gisborne and obviously across the world too.
Initially, I have always maintained and shared a Blended e-Learning philosophy which essentially marries the qualities of the 20th century past and the current and future qualities of the 21st Century. Pt England School, a leading NZ e-learning School shared this interesting reflective video which questions the Blended e-Learning philosophy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5msv_x9MnM#t=47
Pt England queries that maybe this is a philosophy which creates and continues the confusions between the two approaches (20th Century vs the real 21st Century). This video, which reminds me of other research I've read and seen in the past queries whether many supposed 21st century approached used by schools are in fact 20th century approaches disguised by the use of 21st century learning tools and devices e.g. iPads. I need to think about this more.
As I sit here reading, reflecting and wondering I'm thinking that a key big picture development area is the 5th Classroom Wall Philosophy. While where we are heading in terms of trialling devices to support learning, our 5th Classroom Wall Philosophy has more 'big picture' importance in the area of 21st Century Learning/Teaching and Environments. Creating this platform, and more importantly the philosophy with learners, staff and the community, is essential for the future. With this platform, philosophy and pedagogical techniques such as flip learning etc there is a lot of potential for personalised teaching and learning within classrooms and also beyond the school environment. Lots of key questions however lots of exciting potential too.
