Thesis:
"Anonymous blog comments, vapid video pranks, and lightweight mashups may seem trivial and harmless, but as a whole, this widespread practice of fragmentary, impersonal communication has demeaned interpersonal interaction." So writes Jaron Lanier in a provocative and thought-provoking book You are not a gadget which I am currently reading. How curious (ironic, creepy) to find a preview version of it online.
Antithesis:
"The Web has accelerated access to learning. There has never been a time in the
history of this planet when so much learning was possible throughout our lifetime. Not
only is learning access instantaneous, but you can also learn from global partners via
technology that is increasingly social, ubiquitous, and inexpensive. Despite persistent
complaints about the state of education today, when it comes to opportunities to learn
outside as well as inside schools, these are auspicious times." So writes Curtis J. Bonk, on the other hand, in his online prequel to the book The world Is open: How web technology is revolutionizing education which I also am reading. Not surprisingly, much of this is also available online.
Synthesis:
Stay tuned! I'm still trying to decide whether to move closer to the Web (while avoiding the spiders) by using more Internet tools personally and in my classes or to move away from it lest it take even control of me! The distinctions between science fiction and science fact are both harrowing and narrowing---and I am determined to be in control rather than be controlled by technology. Thoughts of Isaac Azimov'vs CAL and Arthur C. Clarke's HAL haunt and taunt me. Time for a vacation full of reflection, rejuvenation, redirection, and resolution of conflicting thoughts about how best to teach and to learn well.
