Digital History, Chapter 1 Richardson Textbook

We’re only in chapter 1 of “Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms” by Will Richardson.  I already have sticky notes scattered here and there to remind myself of ideas to revisit for self-evaluation and to better incorporate into my classroom.  Richardson describes the current digital world with the ideas of author Douglas Rushkoff as a “’society of ownership’ where… every person with access… will have the ability to contribute ideas and experiences to the larger body of knowledge that is the Internet” (p. 5).  I believe this idea seems simple to the young minds that fill our classrooms.  They are growing up in a digital world that allows to them connect through technology.   Too often I see teachers, school districts and older generations try and fight this concept.  Whether we like it or not, the generation that we are teaching is writing history on the Internet.  Therefore, as educators, leaders and facilitators, I believe we need to embrace this idea described in Richardson’s book and support the digital generation in contributing to our digital world.  Our job is to teach the digital generation how to use the Internet appropriately and successfully in all aspects of life.

Richardson, W.  (2010).  Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms.  California:  Corwin, A SageCompany.