Thing 18

(Schools out). Personal Learning Environments - what they are and why they might be useful

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I added this presentation because it touches on the potential of social media in shaping new and more engaging pedagogies. I like thew comic book format and the audio track that accompanies the slides. If we are serious about lifelong learning, I think Atwell's "personal learning environments" will lead the way. If learners develop their own networks and their own communities of practice, a more authentic approach to turning data into knowledge and knowledge into wisdom. The promise, as Atwell correctly states, is that every learner will articulate their voice over a lifetime of exploration and discovery. The danger remains that learners will only pursue the questions that feel safe and opinions that are consonant with their own. "Personal learning environments" have to challenge accepted truths and trigger some cognitive dissonance if learners are to grow in their understanding , empathy and experience. Otherwise, we will have parallel narcissistic, self-referential universes where learners reinforce prejudice and initial perception ( otherwise known as Facebook) or public confessionals inundated with pithy inappropriate self-disclosure (otherwise known as Twitter).

Slideshare could be a useful tool for bringing to fruition Atwell's vision of "personal learning environments". To adequately address the dangers that I named in the preceding paragraph, I believe that "slideshare communities" must be formed around essential questions and a more formal process for encouraging communities of practice should be instituted. As subscribers create their profiles, certain keywords should trigger invitations to join like-minded learners in exploration of key concepts and an invitation to enter into civil debate with someone with a differing worldview. For example a slideshare presentation on "Intelligent Design" should trigger invitations to join Darwinists and creationists in conversation. In the classroom, teachers would ensure diversity of opinions. Outside of school, individuals would have to model the intellectual courage to challenge their assumptions and their accepted truths.