Have you watched Will Richardson "Learning in a Networked World: For our Students and for Ourselves" yet?
I have. Twice in fact.
One point Will introduces during his presentation is that we educator (and learners) are to share our information... our treasures we have collected over time. Learning becomes exciting, desired and fulfilling. I get this... I do. This makes perfect sense to me, that we all collaborate to further ourselves and others in whatever the direction we wish to pursue.
However, as
an educator, I find that I am both excited and reluctant to collaborate
with the world. As an learner I am drawn to this idea. I
can't tell you all how many times I have searched up something on the
Internet to learn, or ran down to my colleague on the other side of the
building to collaborate on an idea for our classes. This tactic is
standard operating procedure for me... it has been for most of my life.
But, I must admit, there are "thoughts and ideas I would be concerned
with sharing to the world... in fear that those "things" would be taken
(stolen) and used in a way that would profit others monetarily while I
stood by helplessly watching. Not that my ideas, thoughts, lessons I
teach and "what-nots" are anything special, but they have possibilities.
What if someone(s) would take those ideas, make them their own and
drive me to unemployment? Crazy thought... I am not sure anymore.
On the other hand, like I eluded to above, it is very exciting to be part of a larger group of minds that have create or explore a specific thought or topic.... especially when the results are fruitful to you and others. I suppose my fears will have to take a back seat to it all.
