These young learners are earnestly asking educators and school administrators to unblock currently fire walled learning tools, social networks wikis, blogs and virtual worlds:

• “I know how to memorise.” “Teach me to think.”

• “I know how to recite. “ “Teach me to create.“

• ” We want to talk to the world.”

• “We want to make mistakes and try again.“

• “You dont trust me.” “We are not cheating.” ” We are collaborating.”
  

• “We are not lazy.” “We are bored.“

• “Can you help us?” “Can you unblock it?” “We know you’re afraid.”
  

• “We are different.” “We want you to help us.” ““We want you to understand us.” “We need your guidance.”

• “Step out of the textbook.“  “Out of the testing.“ “Let me show you what I can really do.”

• “Prepare me for my future.” “It said you can come too.” “The future is happening.”

• “Outside of school we are there already.” “We want you to be brave and come with us.”

No Future Left Behind by Peggy Sheehy’s Suffern Middle School (NY) technology students jointly won the Net Generation Education Project competition. Both winners brilliantly demonstrate why banning social media tools is paramount to banning learning engagement.

It’s not the technology that is fire walled but human potential!

Image courtesy of Marty S Flickr

What better way to INVITE learning for myself and for others than with authentic lifelong learning demonstrated anticipated expected? Rather like Confidence-Based Learning, in a Personal Learning Network feedback is immediate and self correction/explanation also, which raises engagement and retention.

It is the rising tide of collaboration…the transparency in thinking…which has raised all ships.

Everybody benefits from the transparency. This is a trend that is not going away. As an employer, I am looking for evidence of professional participation, leadership and self promotion. A transcript or resume just cannot tell the whole story. Self promotion, participation beyond the daily task list from the project manager…these are the traits worth rewarding. When faced with difficult choices in today’s economy, those who extend ideas which help the larger cause will always be valued more highly than those who feel entitled because of a resume, transcript, years of service. I love the quote above “You don’t have to write your online bio, but it will be written.” So, I will add: “You don’t have to prove your worth, but it will be determined.”  End of quote.

Ruth’s Summary:Transparent Learning for Professional Participation