In his TEDx talk “From Knowledgeable to Knowledge-Able” Dr. Michael Wesch discusses how the way we treat knowledge has changed with the advent of technology and the evolution of our society. This new world has created an environment where information and knowledge is at our fingertips and treating education as delivering knowledge is not enough anymore (if it ever was).
Students can now interact with not only boundless amounts of information, but also connect with people from around the world and exchange ideas. With all of these possibilities how do students feel about their place in society? According to Dr. Wesch they are “meaning-seekers in a society in which meaning and recognition are not immediately given” this can leave them feeling like they are insignificant or that their education is not as relevant to their lives as it could be.
Dr. Wesch argues that changes need to be made in the way we look at knowledge, instead of being able to recall knowledge students needs to be able to use knowledge that they access (become knowledge-able). I agree with this idea. Our society has certainly made radical changes in the way that we interact with information and this mean that our skills have to evolve as well. As is discussed in the presentation, traditional critical thinking is still an extremely important skill but it is not enough anymore. We need to teach students not only how to think critically but how to sort through and use the abundant information they are presented on an everyday basis.
Our students have grown up knowing nothing but this information revolution and in the future this will only expand to encompass a greater part of their lives. While I agree wholeheartedly with most of Dr. Wesch’s arguments, I also believe that there is a balance to be struck here. As an educator I want to be able to teach my students with a view toward their futures while incorporating the best of current and past ideas as well.
Citation:
Wesch, M. (2010, October 12). TEDxKC - Michael Wesch - From Knowledgeable to Knowledge-Able. Retrieved October 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeaAHv4UTI8
Students can now interact with not only boundless amounts of information, but also connect with people from around the world and exchange ideas. With all of these possibilities how do students feel about their place in society? According to Dr. Wesch they are “meaning-seekers in a society in which meaning and recognition are not immediately given” this can leave them feeling like they are insignificant or that their education is not as relevant to their lives as it could be.
Dr. Wesch argues that changes need to be made in the way we look at knowledge, instead of being able to recall knowledge students needs to be able to use knowledge that they access (become knowledge-able). I agree with this idea. Our society has certainly made radical changes in the way that we interact with information and this mean that our skills have to evolve as well. As is discussed in the presentation, traditional critical thinking is still an extremely important skill but it is not enough anymore. We need to teach students not only how to think critically but how to sort through and use the abundant information they are presented on an everyday basis.
Our students have grown up knowing nothing but this information revolution and in the future this will only expand to encompass a greater part of their lives. While I agree wholeheartedly with most of Dr. Wesch’s arguments, I also believe that there is a balance to be struck here. As an educator I want to be able to teach my students with a view toward their futures while incorporating the best of current and past ideas as well.
Citation:
Wesch, M. (2010, October 12). TEDxKC - Michael Wesch - From Knowledgeable to Knowledge-Able. Retrieved October 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeaAHv4UTI8
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