Learning in New Media Environments

Professor Michael Wesch illustrates in his TEDx talk power of media in changing behaviors, experiences, and relationships. He told a compelling story of his experience living with people in a village indigenous to New Guinea. He argues that the historical traditions of the villagers were disrupted when "media", in this case in the form of books and the census, was introduced. A favorite line of mine from the talk was "there's no opting out of media". He highlights the fact that even in this small, remote village which never had access to any form of technology can be drastically transformed with even minor exposure to media. He elaborates further on this observation by suggesting educators adapt their teaching methods to respond to the ever-changing media and social media era. 

I currently work in an environment where academics, by in large, are extremely resistant to incorporating social media and new technology into their curriculum. A firestorm was created when the school administration decided to implement google mail and google apps. I think much of the resistance stems from ignorance to the capabilities of media and technology. As Dr. Wesch argued, media affects each and every one of us, whether we like it or not. I would like to see educators at all levels take a creative and innovative approach to using social media and technology as learning and teaching tools.