Diigo & Pintrest: A Brief Comparison

Diigo and Pintrest are two interesting sites that offer a broad range of possibilities within the educational context. The main similarity (and perk) of both is that they were not meant for an educational context, at least to my knowledge, but rather for a creative context. Thus, an inventive teacher (or anyone wishing to convey a information) can use either site a structured platform to build their message. The main difference between the two is that they present information in a much different way, thus it is up to the teacher (in our educational context) to use it for appropriate subjects and/or the appropriate group of students.

Diigo

• "cyber library"
• links to articles/sites
• good for compiling references
• can be used to make a bibliography
• book worm heaven

Pintrest

• "cyber gallery"
• images with possible links
• good for compiling images
• can be used to introduce a topic
• visual learner heaven

The most interesting thing, however, I think is that Diigo and Pintrest can be used to supplement each other. For example, a prepared gallery on Pintrest can be used to introduce a new topic to the class, after which the teacher can give out a Diigo link to a library (as a user's public list is called) or to a separate specially prepared list with further and/or follow up information. Both sites also offer networking within each site and the ability to post links to other internet locations, such as the "me elsewhere" option or Diigo and website and user information on Pintrest.

BOOM! The Information Big Bang.

The trick here is that to view any content in depth on either site, the viewer must have a user account and setting this up for a whole class may prove cumbersome if the students are new to either Diigo or Pintrest. Yet, within the context of a class curriculum that takes place on online, or makes heavy use of internet-based resources, it is not impossible to see this set up take place as part of an orientation day early in the semester. Presumably this will be the very first class meeting or, in the case of an online course, the first thing on the students' syllabus which they will have received via email. Even in the first case, the importance and prevalence of computer use in the classroom can be announced ahead of time to get the class ready to roll.

Learning of the Future & the Future of Learning

A core element of living seems to be just keeping up with the times. This is especially apparent in eras of rapid change, such as the one we are in now that was ushered in by the popularization of the computer and the internet in the 1990s. No longer does one have to go to print a manuscript, bring it to a prospective publishing house and hope that they accept it. Now, it's just easier to blog.

In fact, it's so easy that we might need some tips for it from those with experience so that we don't get long in this online haven of seemingly endless possibilities. And that's where teaching comes in. In effect, teachers teach their students for the necessities of life and today's necessities are much different than they were even a generation ago. And even more different if we go further back as one educator notes in this video about "The Future of Learning." No one learns to ride a horse or handle a sword as a necessity anymore, it's only for sport or maybe for a very specific job skill such as an actor really preparing for a demanding movie role. However, the everyperson (not just "everyman" anymore!) will likely never learn to ride a horse or handle a sword, just as the first settled peoples didn't bother too much with hunting and gathering after they figured out how to till the land and farm.

Times change and, as a result, so do we.

The trick for teachers is how can they incorporate their craft into this changing world. The above video also asks the question, "how will the world look in 2061?" For a middle schooler now will likely have to function in that world when it comes around. The key is forward thinking and not just a mere upgrade to "the current level." The world is changing too fast and thus successful people are ones who have learned to learn by themselves. As can be seen from video games, kids can learn very well if they're motivated and video games are quite instructive in children's learning habits: problems in games arise when encountered, thus conveying instant necessity in solving them. A child today will much very likely master a video game, but not even touch a multiplication table. However, this does not mean that said child cannot learn multiplication.

Curiosity can be enkindled to its greatest effect: Self-Motivation

Put in another way, "The absence of the teacher, in presence of the internet, can become a pedagogical tool." The higher order material, such as new concepts can be brought about by the teacher who overall helms the course, however lower order material, such as definitions of words or simple math can all be done very effectively and willingly by the tech savvy students of today. Like a metered poem, the student becomes creative within a structure.

This removal of the teacher from a central authoritative position to a still key, yet background/sideline position from the child's point of view can lead to the new suit of armor we expect kids to don: the "Armor against Doctrine" or a protection from the teachings of the elders or any other name that can be given to adult-centered classroom orientation.

A second, and much shorter video with no dialog showcases in an ironic un-high-tech way (with flash cards) techniques and ideas for a high-tech classroom. This symbol effectively makes the notion of a needed transition apparent. We are all talking about new things, but we're still (kind of) using the old ways to talk about them. So, a new vision of a classroom and a new vision of the student would not be complete without a new vision of the teacher. This, I think, may bring us to the teacher rediscovering his or her inner-student and youthful experience of learning: we're all learning now!

With teachers helming the classroom and also participating, the role of learner and student can mesh in unexpected way. Children will invariably do most of the learning, however with the teacher's role taken off center to a level grounded with the students, the teacher will also learn from the students as he or she will much more closely see the students' experiences.

The video offers a quote: "Who dares to teach must never cease to learn." -John Cotton Dana

In this world, we're all students.

Blogging to meet learning standards and trends

Blogging can be a good, non-traditional way of engaging students. In today's highly computerized world, simple pen and paper tasks seem dull and dated. On top of that, many children are very computer literate, thus working with technology actually can help the students feel more comfortable by letting them use tools that they are familiar with.

Steven Wheeler gave seven reasons why teachers should blog and they are quite compelling. Reasons #1, "Blogging causes you to reflect" & #2, "Blogging can crystalise your thinking" are effective arguments for languaging, or using language to talk about language. This, of course, applies to other fields. By putting something into language we can get a better grasp of it. We can talk to someone, but it may be hard to find someone interested in a highly specialized field, thus blogging gives us the option to, technically, just talk to the whole web-viewing world. No one specific is addressed until comments and discussions arise, though the act of a blog post is useful for the author just by itself.

The remaining reasons... 
#3, Blogging can open up new audiences.
#4, Blogging can create personal momentum.
#5, Blogging can give you valuable feedback.
#6, Blogging can be creative.
#7, Blogging can raise your game.
                                            ...provide good arguments for how blogging can develop the author and their own expertise and even reputation. Blogs have their limits, but their framework may be used to great effect.

This brings us to the classroom setting, where today's tech-savvy students are very much familiar with the constraints and possibilities of computers, primarily through the popularity of social media and gaming, however this know-how may be reined in to add pizzazz to the students' educational experience. Some of the Performance Indicators from nylearns.org strongly indicate a learning cyber-realm that is possible to build by structuring a class to include an active blogging element.

1) ESL.E.2-4.4.1.1
Students use a variety of oral, print, and electronic forms for social communication and for writing to or for self, applying the conventions of social writing.
    ESL.E.2-4.4.1.1.MI
Forms such as friendly notes, invitations, electronic messages, diary entries, and notes to self.

2) ESL.E.2-4.4.1.2
Students describe, read about, participate in or recommend a favorite activity, book, song, or other interest to various audiences.
    ESL.E.2-4.4.1.2.MI
Audiences such as peers, classes, teachers, and other adults.

Students, as well as teachers, transitioning to a high tech class, may need some guidance in adapting to the new setting, however a class in computer lab with lessons structured around some of the above listed activities is hardly science fiction at this point in the developed world.

The computerized classroom can also involve parents more closely to their child's education since the computer classroom could be accessed from home, as well. Rita Zeinstejer made a short list with a case for blogging:

Why Blogging?
Because they allow us to...

• place lessons, assignments, and announcements online.
• expand students' access to relevant materials by incorporating links
• enhance class interaction through online discussions and chats
• facilitate idea sharing
• motivate and prepare students for class
• maintain communication with absent students
• challenge students by placing quizzes and tests online
• get parents more involved by giving them access to their children's assignment

The rest of the article furthers the case for blogging as a professional and as a student. Afterall, the computers themselves can only be valued by the content they produce.

And long, long ago... Prometheus's gift of fire was only as important as the soup it cooked.