#23 (23 Things)

Take a few moments to reflect on your journey. You've covered a lot of material over the past ten weeks.

Q: What does it all mean?

A: Communication, education, society, even life itself is changing at an incredibly rapid pace. I am glad to be here on the "ground floor", learning about these tools. Competent use of the internet is going to be the determining factor between success and failure for individuals, communities, companies, government, nations and ultimately, the world.

Q: How has your thinking changed between Thing 1 and Thing 23?

A: I am far more aware of the accessibility and possibilities that some of these clever solutions offer. I am more than a little wary at the claims of miraculous wonders evolving from them, and keep my enthusiasm in check.

For every plane that flew, dozens crashed. For every brilliant idea, there were millions that stunk.

Q: Has this program changed how you view the Internet or how view education in the digital world?

A: The internet will allow us to be incredibly productive and effective on the 'good end'. On the 'bad end' it will allow the propagation of bad ideas, lies, treachery and deceit at a pace never imagined.

Already we see violent actions and hate-filled speech based on questionable if not outright falsified web information. The fine line between the requirement for truth and accuracy and outright censorship is one not even slightly examined.

Q: What plans have you made for using these tools in and out of the classroom?

A: I'm still thinking about that... I can see Wikis being set up for small group tasks, allowing participation without the stultifying and time-wasting traditional 'meetings'. This will be extremely popular with administrators who are performance-oriented. It will be hated by persons who insist on flexing their 'position muscles' at you and gathering you together in a circle like good little Native Americans.

Q: How will you continue to learn about Web 2.0 tools?

A: I can see these tools as being enormously fun and interesting! Further, they are mostly easy to use, and a good source of amusement.

I think I will find the experimentation and sharing of these tools as much of a hobby as anything else I enjoy! Doubtless, the tools will only get better, faster and more interesting.

Q: What are your big "take aways" from this experience?

A: It is apocryphal at best, but the story goes: Benjamin Franklin observes the first balloon ascension in 1783 while he was Ambassador at the Court of France. Someone asks "What practical use can there be for balloons?"

Franklin answers "What practical use is there for a newborn baby?"

In Web 2.o and the tools we have studied, we are witnessing a newborn baby, squalling, pooping, eating, being cute and growing rapidly.

Practical use? Doubtless that will come, and our little experiments will sometimes pan out and the baby will learn to walk, and other times, there will be colic and tantrums.

Watching this 'baby' grow is something that I shall enjoy, participate in, and continue to learn from for as long as I live!