Richard Miller: This is How We Dream.

Old Style Learning

This is How We Dream Videos

It wasn't too long ago that an assignment to write a research paper meant hours spent at your local library in research. You would try to find as many resources as possible and sight those sources on note cards. Many times those sources might be from encyclopedias or news articles. If you really couldn't find the materials you needed you may have to resort to searching through old microfiche. Sometimes your sources wouldn't be from anything recent, they might be years old. Composing your paper usually involved handwriting or typing your information on paper, footnoting all the resources you used.

Fast forward some years later and now that process has changed so much. Dr. Richard Miller's This is How We Dream lecture brings many of these points to light. Our world is totally different now. We can compose documents by pressing a few buttons. We may never have to leave our home to get the information we need. The web offers us countless resources at our fingertips. The web allows you to use up to the minute information when looking for resources. No more waiting for the newest information to be released in a yearly encyclopedia.

Richard Miller also discussed the importance of educators who are willing to share their ideas. Putting together a presentation involves not just words, but a visual presentation. We can produce our information and distribute it globally. Most of the limits we have, are limits we place upon ourselves. Teachers must be inspired to be new media composers. Sharing with each other and collaborating on projects.

I think we as teachers are preparing ourselves each week to be new media composers as we type blog posts. We are searching up to date information through sources on the web. We read each others thoughts and ideas through these blog posts. We have collaborated on surveys and class projects. We in turn can take these thoughts and ideas into classrooms and use them with our students. Students need to continue to be challenged in the classroom with new ideas and concepts. If we can help them with new technology to complete their requirements, they can continue to progress with technology.

New Media Learning