Technology+Book+Summary

===Learners are now researchers and teachers are now mentors. Everyone is encouraged to jump on the space mobile and accept the fact that there is no turning back—cyberspace is here to stay. Shift into blogs, podcasts, online videos and social networking. The author believes that calamity may have to strike with floods and tsunamis to cause some to wise up. We all learn in ways that are rapid, mobile, authentic and collaborative and in different styles, forums and for different reasons.=== ===When Bonk (2009) says, “we all learn in a world open to endless possibilities,” he is referring to open source software, courseware, freeware and any technological information that removes financial barriers so that it is open for all to indulge. The author takes us on a journey into many parts of the world while sharing his experiences along the way. He is continually amazed at the technological transformations about which he learns. He begins by referencing a book written by former President Bill Clinton, Giving: //How Each of Us Can Change the World//, and focuses on this theme of sharing and giving throughout out the book because “…sharing, like giving, is at the forefront of what it means to be human” Bonk (2009). It is heartwarming to read about such basic human concepts while at the same time talking about an industry that has made many millionaires and billionaires. I love the attitude of Bonk and former President Clinton and many other software developers and programmers and universities like MIT and others who do what they do because of the love and not just for the money. If the love like this of these folks were multiplied and spread much more than the evil minds of selfish individuals we really could make the world a better place simply by making education open and free. The first time one of Bonk’s technology conference talks was Ustreamed he had never heard of it. The fact that one of his colleagues and one of his students who were not in attendance would be able to watch it wherever they were and send live questions via Twitter amazed him. Because these and other simple but powerful tools were being developed and shared he began to realize that instructional approaches in online environments were more collaborative, problem based, exploratory and interactive (Bonk, 2009, p. 33).=== ===Thomas Friedman’s book that talks about the world being flat. This means that because of technology innovations, hills and mountains of boundaries have been flattened by ten key trends which have opened up learning to everyone who will take advantage of it. The Web 2.0 stage of the internet has moved from one of being flat like a newspaper where in the past we had received information passively to one where now active participants can add content (Bonk, 2009, p. 41).=== ===A movement to make the world open for education caused different groups and companies to work towards making Internet access available in every home and business in theU.S.(Bonk, 2009, p. 46). Bonk addresses the ten educational openers in an acrostic, WE-ALL-LEARN. Some of what is included are searching in e-books, e-learning, availability of open source and free software, leveraged resources and OpenCourseWare, portals, electronic interaction, and networks of personalized learning (Bonk, 2009, p. 51).=== ===I love the fact that a family decided to go on a sailing adventure for five months and in order for the high school daughter to be able to go she would have to find a way to be in school during this period of time. It was a true learning adventure for her and all that were connected to her learning experience. This young lady took charge of her education and began using skills such as organizing and inquiry in a way that she had never used them before. This was the beginning of many more online ventures all over the place. She took on the responsibility to schedule her time and activities so that she would not miss opportunities to visit libraries and complete her assignments at various ports. I began to imagine what kinds of journeys I could assist my students in taking.=== ===Knowing that Google has survived and made billions by giving away free web searching services, e-mail and other educational products in a world of greed and capitalism is astonishing. This is proof enough that education can be free if shared. The call for free and open software continues because it fosters human creativity and expression. Anyone has the ability to improve the education level of humans if they take the time to share their skills, money, resources or networks.=== ===When a planning committee at MIT was given the duty to decide what role MIT could play in the Internet age, it was months of grueling over whether to enter the for-profit side of e-learning or the free side. They wanted to be leaders and finally decided to take a bold stand and be the first to give away its content. This new field was called Open Course Ware. It turned out to be a great decision because they received funding from two foundations to complete the task. It was the right decision--others followed. When I read about the fact that the course ware of such a prestigious institution was free and open I was impressed.=== ===Wikipedia being the largest learning portal and was also joined by many others such as the Encyclopedia of Life, the Museum of Online Museums and the newest museum by the Smithsonian Institute, the National Museum of African American History and Culture. This is a moving phenomenon.=== ===E-learning is now considered mainstream. Learners have a voice and now live in a learner-centered environment. The world is overflowing with Web 2.0. YouTube and Common Craft, Wikipedia, Scribd have changed the lives of people and it is all based on the simple concept of sharing.=== ===It should be noted that alternative reality learning proved to be helpful in the medical field. Those surgeons who had “engaged in at least three hours of video game playing per week were 37 percent faster and made 27 percent fewer mistakes than those who did not play such games.” Sign me up for the video game playing surgeon when I need surgery (Bonk, 2009, p. 277).=== ===Make sure that technology is mobile and portable if you want it in the hands of the young as well as the old. The revolution has begun and the world is invited. From rural corners toManhattanapartments, whether you are kindergarteners, golfers, pharmacists, sheepherders, miners, pole vaulters, or marriage counselors you can learn when you choose and where you choose because the world is open. This book advocates the sharing and giving of technology because sharing and giving are what it means to be human.===