The question becomes: is the future of the news industry tied to the technology or is technology an enabler to creating human networks that spread information?
This quote comes from a ReadWriteWeb article about Andy Carvin’s work these past six months, as he has built an incredible network on Twitter to tell the story of the Middle East protests and revolution.
It’s an excellent article to read and if you haven’t heard of Andy Carvin’s ground-breaking and important work, check out one profile piece on him.
With that said, I read the quote above, and thought in light of yesterday’s Summer Institute sessions (notes Part 1, Â Part 2, and Part 3), that the quote could be reworked to say
The question becomes: is the future of [education] tied to the technology or is technology an enabler to creating human networks that spread information?
OR
The question becomes: is the future of [libraries] tied to the technology or is technology an enabler to creating human networks that spread information?
(Emphasis and edits in bold are mine)
I find that quote even more powerful with my edits to both, especially in light of Milton Chen’s comments from yesterday. Three quotes from him:
“Imagine an ‘education nation,’ a learning society where education of children and adults is the highest national priority, on par with a strong economy, high employment, and national security. A nation is only good as its educational system.†–Milton Chen
“An educational system is only as good as its informational system. 21st Century school librarians are the managers of that system. And school leaders for “deeper, authentic learning.†–Milton Chen
A “ladder of learning†from pre-K thru “gray†blending formal and informal learning thru schools, universities, media, museums, libraries, companies, churches, youth groups, parks, and more. Schools and universities are only part of this model. –Milton Chen
Educators and librarians make up a human network, and technology has definitely enabled many of us to build networks and spread information quickly, learn and share with one another.
What about our professions? What could be the impact of utilizing technology to build human networks to spread information and learn from one another, across the globe? I know this happens already on a somewhat small scale, in pockets.
But, right now, education and learning traditionally, formally stops at the end of high school, college, or a degree. Learning should NEVER stop.
People who visit public libraries get this.
People who visit museums get this.
People who attend book clubs get this.
People who attend civic events get this.
People who attend public lectures or presentations get this.
People who visit public parks get this.
People who lead continuing education or professional development get this.
People who take continuing education or professional development get this.
And the list could continue on.
How can we make Milton Chen’s dream of a ladder of learning real?
How can librarians, libraries, educators, schools, universities, professors, journalists, news networks, businesses, business owners, policymakers, churches, pastors, civic leaders, civic organizations, park services, arts groups, musicians, and so on, come together to recreate learning? I don’t have an answer, necessarily, how this could happen or what it could look like. But I think it should.
I do think instead of fighting the same battles over school funding, tuition hikes, staff cuts, loss of innovators, only offering the basics, testing to death, and killing creativity (yeah, you can tell where i stand), we need to blow up the models and rethink learning models and the places and times and ages where it happens.
And the library, especially the public library, is the perfect place for this to start. It is present in most towns already, even some of the tiniest in America (this is at least the case in Kansas). It is open year round, although the hours vary. It serves all members of the community. Of all ages, backgrounds, and interests. And it already is educating your community.
Through summer reading.
Through storytime.
Through craftime.
Through programming.
Through meeting your reading, listening, watching, gaming needs.
Through discussions in the library.
Through book clubs.
Through museum passes.
Through book recommendations.
Through computer classes.
Through computer access.
Through wifi access.
Through eBooks.
Through information access.
Through gaming nights.
Through literacy support.
Through tutoring.
Education is already happening there. How can we take our public libraries, school libraries, academic libraries, and place them at the center of learning?
Some have done it, and as I wrote this post, I ran across a new post from In the Library with the Lead Pipe, Understanding Library Impacts on Student Learning. It’s from an academic library perspective, but definitely fits in with this post.
The Ending
Finally, why is even thinking about all of this so important? Why does it matter?
I’ll simply repost this quote from Milton Chen.
“Imagine an ‘education nation,’ a learning society where education of children and adults is the highest national priority, on par with a strong economy, high employment, and national security. A nation is only good as its educational system.†–Milton Chen