I thoroughly enjoyed watching Michael Wesch discuss the difference between being knowledgeable and being knowledge-able. Whoever holds the stage (the media) has the power. Sometimes, that power can have positive effects on society. Other times, the effects can be devastating. In today’s society, everyone has the tool within hands’ reach to connect with the entire world. This is important because if we hold the stage, then we also hold the power. This is significant for education because we are quickly moving away from the traditional view that teachers, the authority figures, hold all the knowledge and students simply follow along without questioning, to the idea that students can create their own meaning and build their own knowledge through collaboration. I believe that students have way more to offer than just sit in class, follow along, and in some cases, pretend to be paying attention. They need to be engaged. As an undergrad at CSUSM, one of the best professors I had hardly ever lectured. In her class, students spent 95% of the time working in groups and sharing out with the rest of the class, essentially teaching themselves and each other. If she ever did have to lecture about something, it would be very brief, and when she was done she’d state: “Alright, I’m done talking at you,” and she’d quickly number us off so we could form groups. I can see myself using Wesch’s techniques to make students knowledge-able. One way for me to do this is by helping students connect problems and content in the classroom to their lives outside of the classroom.
Wesch, Michael. [TEDx Talks]. (2010, October 12). TEDxKC-Michael Wesch-From Knowledgeable to Knowledge-Able.
Wesch, Michael. [TEDx Talks]. (2010, October 12). TEDxKC-Michael Wesch-From Knowledgeable to Knowledge-Able.