The use of the categories digital native and digital immigrant was cute, but not particularly meaningful. While it would be true that a 5 year old has never known a time without the iPhone, I would assume the average college student is a more capable and creative phone user. I know this comparison is not the way the categories are usually applied, I selected the ages and the devices to illustrate how meaningless the distinction is. The terms do attract attention and are possibly great for selling books. The analogy is shallow. Time to get past cute and identify meaningful differences in experience and insight.
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I am not certain how you sign up to be the topic of the week. A couple of weeks ago it was coffee. This week is evidently digital citizenship week. Digital citizenship should be an important issue for us all.
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Ed tech types should pay attention to the politics of the FCC. As an exercise use the search box on this blog to search for FCC and see how many times I have had reason to mention the activities of this agency in relationship to school practices.
Anyway, in the wake of the near collapse of the U.S. government, today I encounter a story related to a political fight brewing over the appointment of the proposed FCC chair. Sen. Cruz now is attempting to block the confirmation of Tom Wheeler. I have little idea regarding the Wheeler agenda in general, but the reason offered by Cruz for this objection follows:
blocked the confirmation of Tom Wheeler as chairman of the FCC, saying he wanted greater assurance from President Obama’s nominee that the agency wouldn’t require more funding disclosures for political TV ads. Cruz has said that such free speech should be protected.
I personally draw a distinction between my right to free speech and accountability for my speech. I should certainly be able to make whatever statements I want as long as these statements do not violate law and decency. I do think I should have to own up to my statements. What about you? I would like the disclaimer after political ads to read – this ad was sponsored by many people who a gave a little or this ad was sponsored by a few individuals who gave a lot. It makes a difference in how my critical thinking related to the content would work. Always use the source as part of your process of evaluating content. Just thought of an alternate title – Ted Cruz opposes critical thinking
Big money plays a corrupting role in government in that it gives some individuals more impact than others. It is hardly one person one vote (it likely never really was) – reality has moved toward one dollar one vote. Those with more dollars have more votes. Equity is one of the core issues in educational progress and those forces outside of classrooms that function to move the country in a different direction are working against reducing this problem.
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So what is wrong with a tax increase to address budget issues? Much of the recent rhetoric seems focused on the “control of spending” as the means to control the budget. What problems does a reduction in spending address (small business expansion) and who benefits and who is harmed? What is the best solution from a macro position? Data clearly indicate fewer and fewer individuals hold more and more of the wealth. One of the newest Nobel winners identifies income inequality as one of the most important problems we face. How else would you address needs without moving resources around?
Shiller, an economist famous for having warned about bubbles in technology stocks and housing, said inequality has been worsening for decades. He said he supports having a contingency plan in place now to raise taxes on the rich if inequality gets worse.
“The most important problem that we are facing now today, I think, is rising inequality in the United States and elsewhere in the world,” Shiller said.
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The annual ECAR (Educause Center for Analysis and Research) survey of college student use of technology in learning is now available. The pdf is available if you follow this topic.
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But despite the acceptance of online course formats and access, a report on the poll said Americans’ views are still “tepid at best.” Many still tend to think the quality of both the instruction and the instructors is far below that of classroom-based education. Additionally, nearly half said they believe online degrees are less accepted by employers.
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