TEDxNYED: Mike Wesch
The TEDxNYED videos are now online, and I’ve decided to rewatch the presentations I found interesting and write up my reactions. I’ve already said (as have others) that I was disappointed in the overall experience, but that was not the fault of speakers. So, here’s a good one: Mike Wesch’s Cautionary Tale
Why did I enjoy Mike’s speech? Mainly because he brought in external material of which most of the attendees had been ignorant, and then used that new information to shed light on our field. (This is how the TED format could work for thematic conferences.) Specifically, Mike showed how “new media” can have harmful side effects. The point needs to be considered carefully by the edtech community.
I do not think the rest of this speech was as strong and, worse, demonstrated some glaring inconsistencies in Mike’s thinking – thinking that has so great potential.
For example, in one case “new media” were bad when they altered the established native culture, but then, in another case, “new media” were good because they could alter an established culture. Without explicitly establishing the criteria by which we can judge the merits of the culture (is it worth saving or does it deserve to be destroyed), the arguments canceled out.
Further, Mike failed to recognize any value (or even the existence) of the cultures “new media” create. “[New media] will be what we make of it,” he said. Well, I say new media are without our interference and we do not have a responsibility to “make” something of them.
Finally, Mike barely implied that there were limits to using new media in class. He stated that his students could change their “research schedule” (not a “syllabus”) when and how they saw fit, but they could not change the class goal. Oh, but who decided on that goal? The students? or the teacher? He did’t say. Also, if you noted the byline on the documentary his class produced, it only listed the professor’s name. I’m not saying these limits on student-centeredness are unreasonable, only that we should talk as much about them as we do the hype they counteract.
Again, this was one of my favorite speeches at TEDxNYED. I hope it starts some good conversations.