Reflecting on The New Culture of Learning, I realize I am a digital learner. Don’t get me wrong; I did not grow up in this age of “almost unlimited access and resources to learn about anything” (Thomas & Brown, 2011). I was around 20 years old. It was around 1996 when I got my first personal computer and dial-up internet connection.
I never really enjoyed AOL instant messenger, but YAHOO chat was an exciting tool at the time. When I began exploring the internet, chats were web-based chat rooms. Those later evolved into a friends list and functioned more like the AOL system. I remember being able to listen to music posted to your status, allowing conversations with others who noticed the playing track and growth in musical tastes. As a small town girl from a tiny town (410 population), this online world opened my mind, viewpoints, and influences to people from other states and countries. Many online friends are still friends to this day, 25 years later.
I taught myself basic HTML to create multiple GEOCITIES websites. These digital presences pre-date MYSPACE and any current social options preferring anonymity via pseudonyms. These were places where individuals posted about themselves, showcased their creativity, and annoyed the world over with music files that the user had no control over. I remember helping my mom create her GEOCITIES presence too. Those platforms utilized guestbooks where visitors could leave comments. I remember seeing guest logs from long-since passed family members who left encouraging words or random messages. It began with social networking, collaboration, community, and collectives.
I remember the birth of multiple search engines. ASK JEEVES sticks out, probably due to television advertisements. I can not say I specifically remember when GOOGLE took over the search engine space, but I can say I fully embraced a “GOOGLE it” mindset about the world.
I never knew what autodidactic meant until Dr. Harapnuik explained this program and our goals for creating significant and authentic learning environments. Reading The New Culture of Learning, I realized that my habit of searching for errors indicated my inquisitive nature.
In my 30s, while dating my now husband from 2.5 hours away, we played WORLD OF WARCRAFT throughout the week as it provided social interaction and time. We also met people worldwide to go on quests and raids together.
I could not help but reflect on the problem-solving and collaboration we experienced during our time in the early days of this massively multiplayer online game. Fifteen years later, we still stay in contact with several friends from the game in real life and have celebrated many milestones together from afar. We raised our daughter with learning games and online gaming.
I am living in The New Culture of Learning.
References
Learners Mindset. (2020, December 24). Assessment as Learning [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLmxREQLizk
Thomas, D., & Brown, J. S. (2011). A New Culture of Learning: Cultivating the Imagination for a World of Constant Change (1st ed.). CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.
The Advisor That Cares 