Chapters 7 and 8

"Synchronous communications occur in real time, as with cell phone conversations or text message exchanges. Individuals converse as if face to face; there is little to no wait time for a reply to statements." (pg 188). 

"Asynchronous communications involve a time delay, as with email messages, online discussions, or blogs. Communicators wait for replies to their statements, although the usual time lag is dramatically shorter than for a letter or postcard sent through postal mail." (pg 188). Synchronous conversations are increasingly easier to have nowadays. You no longer need to be face-to-face with another person, nor do you both need to be near your landline phone. Now all it takes is the ability to send a text message, which takes virtually no time to send and reply to. This means there is a vast difference in the way people used to obtain information and they way people are able to do this now. Communicating and obtaining information is now, essentially, instantaneous. It means that more information can be communicated at a quicker rate and that this information can become widespread at a much more rapid pace than previously. Such is the case with social media. A video can go viral in no time at all. A statement made by a political candidate is public knowledge within the hour. The events happening in your community may not be spread by word of mouth, but the story is spread just as quickly, if not quicker. This also changes today's society sense of patience and ability to delay gratification. It is often said that today's generation of kids are constantly in need of immediate gratification, and that very well may be true. These kids are able to obtain answers at a moment's notice. They can instantly ask someone a question via text or social media. They have seemingly limitless options for entertainment via apps, websites, video games, and television. It makes sense that this generation would demand more immediate gratification because the technology that they are immersed in is one of immediacy.  Generations who grew up relying on postcards and letters would have a vastly different sense of what is an acceptable time frame for a response to a question. It also means that newer generations may have seemingly shorter attention spans, though I am not entirely convinced that this is true. I think it may be more a result of changing societal norms. For example, it is no longer is it acceptable to wait two weeks for a response to a personal message. 

What does this mean for today's classrooms? It means that information must be presented at a different rate and in different manners. Students are easily able to access information, that is no longer a major concern. A larger concern is their ability to determine what information is reliable and relevant. It also means that educators today have the unique ability to show students how to access information in a number of different mediums. Teachers may still instruct students on how to conduct paper-based research, however, they can also show students how to conduct database searches, how to use different apps to organize and access information. It is also possible for students to gain information via computer-based games. Skills learning games use elements of game play to involve students in learning academic material. In stealth learning games students learn without realizing they are learning because academic skills and information are embedded within the activities of the game. "At the same time, more and more teachers are engaging in educational networking (also called social networking for educators ). Educational networking involves teachers using social networking technologies for educational rather than social purposes. "

Readily available information also means that students may conduct research themselves. Teachers are no longer the most readily available source of information. This lends itself to inquiry based instruction. Students can, and should, be given the opportunity to seek answers to questions themselves. There are even "intelligent tutoring systems" in which software programs are able to improve student performance through the continued use of the system. One such example is iReady. (http://www.curriculumassociates.com/products/iready/diagnostic-instruction.aspx). 

Two options for usage of social media, websites, wikis, etc. that are presented stood out to me in particular. 1) Publishing student work and 2) building learning communities. These are two processes that students will be engaged in outside of the classroom on a regular basis and I think there is something to be said for presenting students with opportunities to explore everyday skills and activities through an educational lens. 

Here is a discussion of education (what it is, why we need it, and how it could be changed) on YouTube, a good example of how quickly and widely information can be spread and new platforms on which it can be presented. 

Questions: 
1. How does readily accessible information effect the everyday structure of today's classrooms?
2. Do you believe that today's students have shorter attention spans?
3. What is one way that we, as educators, may use digital technology to instruct students on how to build a learning community that is safe, respectful, reliable, and ethical?