A New Culture Of Learning: Cultivating The Imagination For A World Of Constant Change (2011) - Plot & Excerpts
Seely Brown and Thomas hit the nail on the head when they talk about knowledge in the context of education: "In the twenty-first century...knowledge is becoming less a question of 'What is the information?' and more of a 'Where is the information?'" Seely Brown and Thomas replicate a 2006 survey where 18 to 24 year olds attempted to "find Iraq" on a map and 63% were deemed "geographically illiterate" because they could not. However, they added a twist and gave their students a computer instead of a map and this time 100% found Iraq and then the students proceeded to pepper them with questions: "street view or aerial?...focus on a particular region or the whole country?...do you want satellite image or do you want it in map form?" In the information age with computers and smartphones the answers are no longer about knowing "what" the answers are, but "where" the answers are.Seely Brown and Thomas are less convincing about what our "knowledge economy" will look like in the future. With good reason, it's totally unpredictable. Although, one of their ideas is as compelling as it is surprising -- that our education will look something like (MMOG) Massively Multiple Online Games, where a learning environment allows players (or students) to "absorb tacit knowledge,...process increasingly sophisticated questions,...and engage collectives to make the experience more personally meaningful." Phrases that sound awfully familiar to progressive educators. Overall, a few of their ideas are thought-provoking in this short and anecdotal-filled book. A lot of food for thought in this book, recommended by a presenter at the AAC&U Conference. The authors point out the benefits of a social environment for learning and learning that is generated by the community rather than dispensed from the front of a classroom. mmo's are the ideal environment for learning, the authors claim, from which educators can learn a lot. One huge question that they never do answer still remains: how might we get students interested in something that they need to learn to the extent they may be interested in something like "World of Warcraft"?
What do You think about A New Culture Of Learning: Cultivating The Imagination For A World Of Constant Change (2011)?
A nice quick read with several case examples to draw ideas from.
—Lelo
Everyone who works in education should read this book!
—TiAyanna
This book totally changed the way I see my classes.
—Gabi
