LearningTimes Green Room

In this special edition, Susan and Dan speak with Nancy White about some provocative views on the use of communities for learning. The conversation continues during Nancy’s keynote presentation at the International Online Conference 2010.




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Show Notes:

Susan and Dan are joined by Nancy White who offers a compelling preview of her IOC keynote (March 17th, 2010).

The topic: We are navigating a tumultuous and very interesting transition of how we think about learning. We are stepping beyond the boundaries of “course,” questioning the continuum of formal and informal learning — all in a time when technology is fundamentally changing what it means to “be together.” From this context, the idea of using the social structure of “community” for learning has come center stage. Community has shown to be valuable in some contexts. But should it be the structure? Is structuring our educational frameworks around community central, or does it deserve a different place along the continuum of individual–community–networked learning. When is community the sweet spot? When is it the trap?

Susan, Dan and Nancy invite listeners to register for the 8th Annual International Online Conference on Teaching and Learning. Nancy will open the conference with her March 17th keynote. LTGR listeners: use this discount code upon signing up for a special $10 discount: gr45z

Continue the discussion by posting at ltgreenroom.org or talk to us in LearningTimes! We facilitate discussion in LearningTimes.org or call us at 1-800-609-9006 x8055 (US and Canada) or 678-255-2174 x8055 (outside US and Canada). You can also find us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ltgreenroom.

Susan and Dan welcome Dan’s mother, Elfrieda Balzer. Mrs. Balzer was visiting Dan from Canada and reflected on technology development when she was a kid. Dan asked her to talk about some of the things she experienced growing up in the 1930s and 1940s.



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Show Notes:

For her first experience with educational technology, Elfrieda recalled the process of making copies. On Friday afternoon, her teacher would fill a cookie sheet with gel, apply and image with indelible ink, and eventually press paper onto the gel to transfer the design. That was the technology prior to mimeographs and photocopiers.

There were times Elfrieda’s family had a phone and other times when they didn’t. The trio talked about party lines and privacy. When her sister had a baby, she had to run to the grocery store to use the payphone to call the hospital.

In 1940-41, her father purchased a short-wave radio, which was a bit of a secret in her house. This was his way to stay informed about World War II. Otherwise they got their news from the newspaper. Our expectations of how and when we get our news is dramatically different these days.

A few numbers: the radio may have cost $100, a car cost approximately $1000 and her house cost $3000.

Elfrieda was being introduced to computers on the job she had. However, it was when her children were all abroad that she learned to use the computer to send her weekly emails. She reflected that they’ve lost that now that phone calls are more affordable.

Other than television, most technology was accepted by Elfrieda’s generation and not resisted. However, she commented that advances did not progress as rapidly. The speed makes it harder to adapt.

Dan asks listeners to tell us your first memories of technology and how you make decisions today about whether to embrace new developments. Continue the discussion by posting at ltgreenroom.org or talk to us in LearningTimes! We facilitate discussion in LearningTimes.org or call us at 1-800-609-9006 x8055 (US and Canada) or 678-255-2174 x8055 (outside US and Canada). You can also find us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ltgreenroom.