Video

5 Responses to Video

1. igalindo says:

   March 26, 2007 at 1:25 pm

   I was intrigued by the comment that the rate/amount(?) of information doubles every two years. Before my kids went off to college that figure was "every three years." The comment, however, that implies that by the time a kid is in his or her junior year what they’ve learned is obsolete is an overstatement.

   We must distinguish data from knowledge. And we must distinguish knowledge from understanding. One of the current movements in education is "Teaching for Understanding" and the concept of teaching for "enduring understanding." Teaching information may ultimately decay into teaching no more than trivia. But teaching for enduring understanding means focusing on concepts that are perennial, eternal, and foundational. Those things are never replaced and never become obsolete.

   The trick, of course, is to be able to discern trivia from enduring concepts; knowledge from wisdom.
2. jdmess says:

   March 26, 2007 at 3:56 pm

   This is a very interesting video designed to grab your attention which it does quite effectively. The music might be a little distracting but the point is clear, technology is changing how we do business in education.

   Will we change how we respond to this type of culture in the church? I am not suggesting we need to become more like the culture in order to be "relevant" but that we might need to take this into account in reaching this culture (which does not necessarily have an age range). This goes beyond moving what we are doing as a church to an online environment. Media saturated individuals do not necessarily need more media saturation.

   However, a blog space like this one, can provide a foundation for searching, questioning and trying out new ideas in a relatively safe environment. This allows a person the opportunity to explore faith with others who have a longer, deeper faith experience. I know that length of being "Christian" does not mean maturity but within the GRACE group, there is a strong spiritual maturity and THAT voice can provide the mentoring to other trying new ideas on for size.

   It is good to question and better to reflect on the answers we are given than to go blindly through our faith experience only to discover it is not strong enough for our needs. As the world shrinks through the Internet, we can gather in a different type of community and explore faith in a different environment.

   This is becoming fairly long but I enjoy this video and the discussion it brings to bear on all sorts of current thinking. The challenge is before us as educators to interact in a meaningful way with an information rich culture that is not necessarily gaining understanding.
3. mcanaday says:

   March 28, 2007 at 5:17 pm

   This tool has great potential for communication and reflective involvement with others, however, I disagree that a blog site that reaches worldwide is a relatively "safe" environment. Relative to what? Once the content is posted, it is a done deal–it becomes a matter of record.

   A safe dialogical environment requires trust and vulnerabiluty, which is why it is a rare find in most churches. Adults have an obsessive need for self-preservation. A safe environment is possible if a group of adults spend time together, get to know one another, and learn to trust each other by growing into a relationship of vulnerability with one another. But, it is impossible in this format to develop relationships with all who read and/or respond. (Check out Patrick Lencioni, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, for the significance of trust and vulnerability in group dynamics.)

   What WOULD make this a relatively safe dialogical environment would be making ths blog site a closed site for our GRACE group, and that has more to do with the relationships we have formed with one another over the years.

   For me, the determining issue has to do with the purpose for which the blog exists. Are we clear about that? Does a blog site need to be moderated according to its purpose? Are there appropriate limits and expectations? Clarity about these kinds of questions will help us address the issue of safety, trust, and vulnerability for the use of this blog site.

   This issue also raises questions about the meaning of a "dialogical" learning experience. Are we seeking a genuine dialogical environment or something else?
4. igalindo says:

   March 28, 2007 at 7:10 pm

   You raise legitimate questions, Marty. I must admit, however, that concerns about a "safe environment" is puzzling to me.

   I do think it’s helpful to clarify the purpose and function of this medium, or at least, of this particular blog. I personally see this as an opportunity to share ideas and resources, to work through thinking about issues we’re pondering, and ocassionaly, engage in a ripping good discussion.

   But I agree that this medium is not suitable or appropriate for every kind of discussion, dialogue, or sharing. I expect people will use wisdom and discretion when posting thoughts and comments here. I’m not personally interested in doing "therapy" on-line. And I’m not interested in responding to overtures for discussion about things that are intimate and personal–that’s for another context and dictated, as you suggest, by the boundaries of one’s relationship with others.

   Having said that, I’ll always advocate honest and courageous dialogue, and will welcome challenges to ideas and thinking (iron sharpens iron, as they say). I’m always puzzled at the apparent hesitancy people seem to have to speak their minds or share their thoughts.
5. igalindo says:

   March 28, 2007 at 9:40 pm

   Marty, on the course site for my elective Reading Seminar, I have the follow description of the spirit of the course: "Conloqui et conridere et vicissim benevole obsequi, simul leger libros dulciloquos, simul nugari et simul hoestari."

   Translation: "Conversations and jokes together, mutual rendering of good services, the reading together of sweetly phrased books, the sharing of nonsense and mutual attentions." –St. Augustine, Confessions.

   I would hope for that here.

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