Thing #1

I am taking a break from my regular posting schedule to participate in the 11.5 new web 2.0 class offered online by Spring Branch ISD. This is my post for thing #1, a reflection on video called the Networked Student.

While I can agree with the basic premise, that students need to set up their personal learning networks, just as we do, and that hopefully, this will lead to authentic learning experiences, I have a problem with the video. I don't think the student will be able to get a big picture about the American Psyche using the approach outlined without some basic teaching by the instructor to help the students understand the topic, and the main ideas and theories before setting out on his quest. Yes, ultimately, I would love to see students choosing what they learn, but without having a basic understanding of the whole topic, their learning will have holes in it, and they will not be able to form "informed responses" to blogs and other online networks as described. Their understanding will be limited by the piecemeal nature of their information collection, unless it is structured by a very good instructor. People cannot always choose to learn only those aspects of a topic they are most interested in. An example is in our own MLS classes. I am pretty sure all of us took cataloging. Some loved it, others not so much. However, without a good understanding of the principles of the organization of information, whether it was our favorite MLS class or not, we would not really understand library or information science, and I would submit that we would not be as effective as librarians of information specialists. Those theoretical tools inform our searching and access in the same way that in any subject there will be basic tools that all students of that discipline need to understand to really be effective learners or opinion writers. You cannot really spread knowledge about something you don't fully understand. Having said that, librarians should definitely embrace the roles outlined for the instructor in the movie. We should be teaching evaluation, personal learning networks, etc. I just think that we shouldn't forget that students still need to be taught the basics of a subject as well. It's not only about what people "want" to learn.