It is time: time for authentic student voices in the edublogosphere; time to hear from those who are affected by education the most; time to regard students as more than just blank floppy disks to be written upon. It is time for Students 2.0 - a new generation of students: articulating their experiences, exploring the future, finding the best, and besting the rest. In short, it is time for authentic student engagement in the classroom. As I said:
For decades, students have been put in classrooms, sat down at desks, and told how to learn and what to learn. For a time when students were expected to become widgets for the vast machine of industry, this model of education was highly effective. However, we are now entering a new age: an age where thinking is more important than knowing, where the thought trumps the fact. Borders are melting away; project teams collaborate across the globe and intelligence is being continually redefined. The world’s information is at our fingertips and anybody can publish their thoughts for virtually no cost.
Everywhere, we see changes: in how business operates, in how people interact and success is accomplished. That is, we see changes everywhere besides the closed bars of education. The system continues to “stay the course” upon a falling ship. Yet, the widgets within the machine are no longer content to grind away. Ideas are popping up everywhere, across the globe. Students are continually redefining their own lives and how they want to learn and interact.
Adults and teachers talk about education and students, but rarely invite students into these discussions. Fortunately, this blog plans to change that by offering an authentic student voice upon education. This is not a gimmick, there’s no puppet master: we’re intent upon confronting the issues of modern education, never backing down from a challenge. Students 2.0 is a challenge for leaders and teachers alike: are you willing to listen to students.
Apparently, the edublogosphere is ready to listen. Our first day has been amazing:
- We got over 6,000 unique visitors
- We hit the del.icio.us front page, most popular page, and are still #2 on the most popular education tag: all thanks to the over 240 people who bookmarked us
- Over 60 blog reactions!
This is beyond words… I see seismic shifts in the future if we are seeing this kind of change. Think about it: over 5,000 teachers are willing to listen to the voices of students. When we get this kind of response before even having any kind of content, it shows just how much potential there is for change. Our personal learning networks are helping to amplify this change… Thanks to everyone who helped out by blogging, bookmarking, and badging. Also, thanks to Sean for making us an amazing :
Students 2.0 Launch Teaser from Sean on Vimeo.
See you on the other side.
O.K. young friend, you have our attention.
“Break on through to the other side.” -Jim Morrison
“For the times they are a changin’” -Bob Dylan
diane
I’m glad I’m not the only one who’s completely floored by all of this.
Great bit of collaboration. Love it.
Couple of thoughts.
1. What is the age cutoff for Student 2.0? Will you guys be retired as you reach a certain age? Is this like Menudo of the Blogosphere… you might not know Menudo. Look it up in Wikipedia.
2. Don’t forget the glacial pace of change in schools.
3. You will gain strength by not preaching to the choir. Your strength will be gained when you get your most resistant detractors on board with your ideas. Problem is, they probably will not read your work in this medium. You will have to create new inlets.
You know where to find me should you need any help.
@diane Thanks for stopping by… now the hard part comes: living up to the hype.
@Stacy Yea… crazy weekend.
@James: Thanks!
1. We plan to retire when we are no longer students… stay tuned for a post about this exact subject.
2. It would be hard to forget… but glaciers are also immensely powerful when they get momentum.
3. This has been discussed a lot in our constant Skype chat. For the most part, we’re planning on our network helping to bring in those who might not otherwise read. We also might have some other aces up our sleeve…. can’t say.
Arthus, my front-row seat in the endless Skype chat gives me the right to say this: your leadership and creativity - and your playful attitude, which I think vital - has been instrumental in the success of the launch.
From designing the pro-launch badge to designing the splash page and the actual blog page, to making us all laugh as “Arthus slays [one person after another]” on Skype, you have been an inspiration.*
I just want to put that on the record.
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*Jeez, at your age, I was lying under the old 1977 console stereo (picture body on floor with head under furniture) listening to Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon for a year.
Thanks for your comment Arthus. I’m looking forward to reading your posts. I hope through this project you will influence more and more of your peers worldwide to start to contribute.
Arthus,
If you want your brain to stay active, you will be a student forever!
diane
As long as your alive, you should not stop of being a student, meaning, always learn.