Chapters 1 and 2 response

Chapter 1 was mostly about what the author, Will Richardson, perceives as the shift from an internet where we go to get information to an interactive internet: one where information is shared, given, and edited by everyone. The author also discusses the implications this has on our current educational system.

There were many parts of this first chapter that stuck out in my reading. For one thing, I found it fascinating that the fastest growing group of internet users are 2-5 year olds (Page 6). I mean, what does a 2 year old even do on the internet? I also found it extremely cool that neurologists are considering the affect early exposure to this type of technology can have on the growth and development of the human brain. On page 7, Richardson talked about students brains working in a "hypertext" kind of way. This really does not surprise me, since it seems that as we get more used to receiving information from a certain source, it would be good if our bodies adapted to it. (Who says we can't evolve?) I just hope I didn't get in to late in the game for my own brain to work to its fullest capacity given the technologies of the day. I actually found an article about this idea of a "hyperlink mind" that helped solidify what Richardson was implying. One of the interesting ideas presented in the website I've linked is when Dr. Leon James remarks that says computers don't necessarily prevent more human to human interaction. Rather, they are an extension of the human itself.


I also would hope to use more of the information in Chapter 1 about what students should do if they come across bad content and what content they can and should give out via the internet.

In Chapter 2, Richardson focused on weblogs as tools to easily publish student work, and an ability to create a community of learners. I like that Richardson pointed out that weblogs both "combine solitary reflection and social interaction". These two types of learning seem like polar opposites, but anyone who has ever blogged can see how this could be true. The original posting is typically one person's independent reflection, but what happens after that post become social. People will respond and build upon what is said, causing the author to rethink and refine their original ideas. As an English teacher, I thought about the writing process. Blogs can really help an individual in the revising stage of their ideas.