gaming / learning

Watch the full episode. See more Digital Media - New Learners Of The 21st Century.

This stuff sure pulls me in two directions... there are some aspects of this that appeal to me, and so much else that seems dystopian. The idea of a class without walls and guild approach to learning has always appealed to me, but I'm concerned that this approach has been derailed by corporate interests and a misreading of what self-taught looks like in kids compared to adults. Neither a fan nor stalwart critic, I need to "interrogate" the paradigm presented in the video because I want to know what I can learn from it. I'm left with questions about:

How does society, consciousness, ethics, sense/value of history change when knowledge is accessed on demand rather than stored in the brain? Are we still intelligent if we just rely on problem-solving skills and a personal interpretations? Are we independent simply because parents and teachers have left us to be peer-raised or raised by whoever dominates broadband?

The video features a wealthy school and tech array designed for self-indulgence. How can "21st century education" build interdependence without narcissism? How can the poor benefit from this approach? How can cash-strapped schools embrace a vision without being willing to foot the bill? How will Aboriginal Learners fare in this environment? (I can see some scenarios in which the concepts actually align better with a Aboriginal approach to learning, but also some barriers)

What do these "21C" ideas look like if we take the technology away? Is is really a new approach to education? Do none of these qualities appear in traditional classrooms? Is it the revolution or change in thinking the experts describe, or do they just make the contrast greater so they can sell their unique product? Half the time I wonder whether public institutions pick up the "21c" stuff in order to reduce costs.

Gaming addictions are just passion for learning (bit at 13 minutes)? Really? What about the whole area of health, avoidance, procrastination, and social interaction?

I'm curious to hear some of your thoughts on this video and the broader topic(s) it suggests.