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August 30 Colloquium presentationFor the one who can't wait..here's the slideshow of my colloquium presentation tomorrow. More info will be added soon. http://www.slideshare.net/joostrobben/learning-environments-for-netgeneration-learners/1 August 14 Invitation to colloquium: Net-generation learnersToday I received the official green light with regard to my masters thesis! Therefore, I'd like to invite you to come and visit the public presentation of my study at the University of Twente: Date: Friday 31 august Title: "Learning environments for Net-generation learners" Abstract Please send an e-mail to me at jrn@stoas.nl if you'd like to attend this colloquium. August 13 Red light/ green lightI just finished what is hopefully the final version of my paper for the masters degree! I've sended the movie below also to my supervisors, I hope it will inspire them....;) August 04 Can technology change us? A view from a cultural perspectiveThe argument on the "Net-generation" involves that trough the use of digital media and webtechnology, people are changing. Some authors argue that Net-geners evolve certain characteristics through their use of certain digital media and webtechnology. I've read a part of Hofstede and Hofstede (2007), a reviewed edition of Hofstedes famous research on cultural differences with managers at IBM. I'll describe a few interesting things from the first chapter. Hofstede and Hofstede describe 4 layers which represent a culture. With symboles on the surface, and towards the core, heroes; rituals and with values as the core layer.
The authors argue that technlogical developments in our society only play a very restrictive role on the values that are the core of a culture. When youngsters in Russia are drinking Coca-Cola, this doesnt't affect their attitude towards authority. And yes, elder Russians differ in some respect to younger Russians, but thats just like young Dutch people differ from the elders. But at the level of the core values, young russians differs the same from young dutch people as with older russians from older dutch people. "It appears that nowhere, the core values from younger generations from different countries converge". Cultural change can evolve fast at the outer layers of the model. New practices can be learned troughout our lives. People above 70 can learn how surf the web with their PC; they absorbe new symboles, meet new heroes, and communicate through new rituals. But cultural change will evalove slow at the core values.
These are some interesting perspectives, which point us that we have to be carefull of ascribing certain characteristics to the "Net-generation", especially when they concern core values. What Hofstede and Hofstede also describe is that these values are developed in the early stages of our lives. As todays kids are more and more using technolgies at younger ages, I wonder, would this effect the change on their core values? August 01 Teachers want Youtube to shut downThe BBC reports today that teachers in the UK have called for websites such as YouTube "to be shut down as part of efforts to prevent pupils and staff being bullied". I just can't believe this is happening, teachers actually think the solution to their problems is shutting down youtube...?!
In our societies, we send kids to schools to prepare them to be able to function succesfully in that society. Socializing, communicating is a big part of that perceived succes. Experiences with other can be very positive and stimulating, but can also feel very negative at times. Being bullied can be one of those negative experiences but definately is part of society. That is why teachers, some more succesfull then others, are using several methods in their classes to prevent students from bulying others and helping the ones that are being bullied to cope with their experiences.
In our current society, technologies are more and more part of peoples daily lives. Socializing and communication is more and more done through the use of these technologies. Not a very new or odd conclusion i must say... Well, when societies change, schools should adept to that change adequately and thus prepare students for a role in a society enhanced by technologies.
Please, teachers recognize the world is (HAS) changed! You cant stop or reverse that by shutting down YouTube, rather help your students with how do can live savely in digital environments. |
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