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.
I agree with you that this is frightening and different than what we are used to, however isn't the idea of sharing going to get you ahead as well? Perhaps you will be able to strengthen your own ideas and teaching based on what you learn from others. PLC's I think are the small beginnings to that bigger picture. We've all got to take the leap at some point, otherwise we'll be so far behind it will lead to unemployment!
ReplyDeleteWhat say you, to this response, Brian?
ReplyDeleteAs I said before...
ReplyDeleteIt makes perfect sense to me... to share my ideas and to seek out others, to help, to collaborate with.... I get it!!! AND YES, IN THE END, I am sure I will be farther ahead. I know I personally have saved my job thus far by PLC-ing with my colleagues over the years.
Education is changing... and we educators are not the information source anymore. We do have to attack the issue of "teaching young minds" differently.... if that is what we should even call it anymore.
I guess I just don't (in general) "trust" as well as others do in "humanity". I know that intentions might be pure (at times), but it is not those who I am sharing with that I am most concerned with. For the most part I know who they are. A certain level of trust and openness has been created. It would be those "lurking" in the shadows who might have other intentions are the ones I was referring to above in my blog. And when you "open source" to the world, the problem only magnifies.