Notes from Millie D

I just read this morning that iRows is rumored to be bought out by Google.  iRows is an Ajax-version of Excel which is in direct competition with Google Spreadsheets.  If this is true than another independent service is being swallowed up by Google (writely, youtube, picasa, etc).  I’m not Google bashing here because I’m a fan but I’m worried about the innovation piece of Web2.0 tools if the big guys are coming in and buying out the indies.  Will innovation in the 21st Century turn into the little guys making a nice product only for Semi-monopolies to purchase it and throw their name behind it?  After reading Friedman’s book I’m not sure if that is best for the end user.  What do others think?

Creating Passionate Users: Why does engineering/math/science education in the US suck?

Kathy Sierra has thrown out another great blog entry but when I read the Venn Diagram it struck me more a conversation about 20th Century Education vs. 21st Century Education. David Warlick might want to use this graphic in telling the new story and 21st Century Literacy. This diagram really tells educators a lot about where we were and where we need to be in our education where the career choices for our youth are still a mystery.

I find it interesting to view the role of technology in achieving what skills we need to be providing our students. A lot of web 2.0 tools can be used in the teaching arsenal. Notice I didn’t say that web 2.0 tools can solve or fix the situation. The tools is only one step in the process. Teachers need to know how to best use them in their class, students need to be responsible in their engagment, and taxpayers need to provide the schools with the funding necessary to implement the change.

I’ve decided to put this diagram on my desk to keep me thinking about what students need when I’m designing classroom activities. I hope you will do the same.

technorati tags:warlick, 21stcenturyliteracy, education, kathysierra

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