Let's start with the video. This was the first time that I was struck by the difference between live and recorded video in terms of effectiveness of instruction. As wikipedia stated, those involved in instructional design are interested in the efficiency and appeal of design, and I noticed that the first quarter of the video was neither efficient or appealing to me. It seems that one of the main reasons behind this is because it is live and I can't participate. As I wait for the other people to answer the questions, I can't help wanting to do something else, whether it is check email, play on my phone, or do laundry. I see myself as a product of the fast paced experiences while being online and I now have little tolerance for things that move this slow.
However, the video does provide some talking points worth discussing. I especially like the list of how people describe technology as being lustful, greedy, slothful, etc. I rarely hear my students describe it this way, but I hear echos of this in generations who have not grown up with the technology. This attitude also seems to be heard in the counter article that discusses how technology may be enfeebling the mind. I was watching a talk at Google the other day that was given by the author of the book "Program or be Programmed," and one of the things that he says that mirrors this article is that if we are using only the items that are built by someone else, we become enslaved by their prisms and can't escape these boxes. Whether it be Blackboard or city planning, the designs others create for us do alter the way we interact while we are within them.
I don't see this as the downfall of thinking and education. It is a little bit scary though. In Jurassic Park, Malcolm talks about how the scientists who are creating dinosaurs are standing on the shoulders of giants, and just considered if we could, rather than if we should. I don't see the answer as not doing research to further progress exsisting disciplines. I see the answer as collaborating with others who have studied the roots for perspective.
It seems that the job of those involved in Instructional Design is to maintain the same principles online that are in the face to face classroom that will keep Educational Technology from becoming what some people fear. Promoting building a space ship, starting from a blank page, and mash ups all have the ability to generate fresh, creative thinking.
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