Response to article: Living and Learning with New Media by the McArthur Foundation

Response to article: Living and Learning with New Media by the McArthur Foundation

Students are surrounded by media all the time. As the article states, they learn from their peers more so than they do from educators. In learning from their peers, learning is more fun, interactive and it is play, not work in many aspects. It’s simply socializing; this new way of communicating is their way of life. Learning from other peers provides them with uninhibited access to new media. Creativity is at its best when not hindered or limited. While I understand that educators must limit access to certain media in school, it also puts the educator on the other side of the playing field. They can be seen as an opponent or adversary. Educators need to become familiar with new media and level the playing field with students, as this would provide better communication and learning between the two groups thus better opportunities for learning. Access to media should be less restricted. If the students are using media outside the school anyway, educators should use it in schools in ways that will make the students think and thrive. Media for learning in school should flow into the student’s lines of communication just as looking up the hot new video game out is. Students should be encouraged to research for school as if it were part of their socializing. As much as students use media, it’s the educators who may find that they have something to learn from their students.