Digital Promise
In September 2011, the U.S. Department of Education sponsored a new project called Digital Promise. The bipartisan, public-private initiative will fund research in educational technology and will bring leading technologies into the classroom to help students with problem areas such as STEM subjects. Review the main directions of this project using the provided link and post your thoughts on which initiatives could be particularly helpful for the development of next-generation learning environments in Alabama schools and colleges. (Focus on your own subject area and grade level.)
The exponential expansion of the information on the web resulted in more powerful and more sophisticated search engines. Modern search engines use intricate algorithms to select information based on the user’s previous online behavior to tailor search results to what the user is most likely to like or agree with. As a result, the user is exposed to a personalized set of information, links, sites, and pages while being under the impression that he or she is seeing an untampered view of the World Wide Web.
Though most consumers benefit from quick finds of desirable products, some intellectuals, like Eli Pariser and Tim Berners-Lee, sounded an alarm claiming that it would lead to information bubbles which will lock people within comfortable but isolated, their own cultural, educational, and ideological mini-worlds. Eli Pariser coined the term “Filter Bubble” and spoke eloquently against limiting people’s exposure to conflicting viewpoints and information. Watch his presentation at http://www.ted.com/talks/eli_pariser_beware_online_filter_bubbles.html and post your thoughts on the issue. How can “filter bubbles” affect education and what is the role and responsibility of educators in ensuring free access to information?
n regards to the Filter Bubble it was very interesting. The internet is a great tool and has been improved over the years. It is a way to find information and keep in touch with family and friends through social networks. This story was very interesting and I never even thought about the algorithms and things that go into you searching something. All these websites are personalizing results for you. I didn’t ask for this and didn’t realize it. I have noticed the different “suggestions” that are given on different websites. I think the “filter bubble” could hinder education and can hinder the learning of new information. This keeps from you getting the information you may not know you want to know. I think that even though it’s personalization for you it hinders your ability to see and learn about other things that aren’t necessarily something you would normally want to know.
ReplyDeleteI think the Digital Promise is a great idea. It is lead by some of the most prominent people and we are finally realizing the importance of technology in education. I think how they are finding quicker ways to analyze technology and quicker ways to teach people to be come IT literate is important. As educators we have unlimited use of technology but we need to be able to use it. There are numerous workshops now a days that are given for teachers to understand and learn technology use. This movement has so many ideas and until I had not heard of it. I think for me being physical educator there are not may opportunities to use technology. I can use pedometers, heart monitors, wii and other things but classroom teachers have the ability to really utilize technology and this movement can help. Different places and companies are willing to donate money toward to the use of education based on their position. I think this is so important and this day and age there is nothing but technology and it’s time we add those to our classroom and curriculum.