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=Did the Media really become the message? Hyperconnectivity and the life of the mind= This is a working site for the 2010 Mcauliffe Conference session proposal by Jacque-Jude Lepine and Deb Boisvert

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In this session participants will take the time to pause and reflect upon the benefits, risks, and existential implications of the new hyperconnected social environment in which learning is taking place. The testimonies of thinkers, practitioners, teachers and students, will be presented in multimedia format to stimulate an informed discussion. Participants will have the opportunity to share their experiences and to ask themselves questions about meaning and values, and the connection between the mind and this new environment.=====

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Starting with a multimedia presentation, we will overview some of the most important questions raised by the effects of hyperconnectivity- the seamless, ubiquitous use of technology and internet access in daily life-on the life of the mind. The point of view of authors of both enthusiastic and cautious studies will be summarized and illustrated, along with video segments of users and researchers.=====

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Following this presentation, the discussion will focus on the cognitive process through pratical examples: Whether adult learners or students, how do we absorb, process and integrate information, and thus actually learn? What is the impact of hyperconnectivity on this process, and how to optimize it? Are there cases when less is more? Is continuous connectivity always better, for the mind, than discrete connectivity? How important is it for the mind to allow for the information to “sink in”? And the bigger questions about the connected lifestyle: what kind of life, liberty and happiness are at stake?=====

interesting article [] I am not sure that it relates to this project but it helped me to think about the learning bonus of the web]
[] I have downloaded the file

[] this is where we can download Cougar's video

[]: probably not, but I'll use a few facts, hoping the sources are reliable

[] : Exploring the anti-social side of social media [] Fast Times at Woodside High [] Digital natives (Gary Small) 1:24

Thoughts 11/13/10

Quote: //"Just as food nourishes us and we need it for life, so too — in the 21st century and the modern age — we need technology. You cannot survive without the communication tools; the productivity tools are essential," ..."And yet, food has pros and cons to it. We know that some food is Twinkies and some food is Brussels sprouts. And we know that if we overeat, it causes problems. Similarly, after 20 years of glorifying technology as if all computers were good and all use of it was good, science is beginning to embrace the idea that some technology is Twinkies and some technology is Brussels sprouts." New York ////Times// technology journalist Matt Richtel.

Givens
 * 1) Over human history changes in technology have had major impact on insignificant aspects of human life - thought processes, health, social/political structures, and what it means to be literate. Some of these major changes include, development of written language, domestication/agricultural revolution, sanitation, printing press, increase in speed of communication and transportation.
 * 2) Although evolution of a species happens over many, many lifetimes, adaptation to new technologies or climate change, happens in a relatively short period of time.
 * 3) The individual human brain changes through neural development through out an individual's life
 * 4) Technology is increasing at an unprecedented pace.
 * 5) These changes are impacting all aspects of human life.
 * 6) Schools must acknowledge and respond to these changes in order to effectively prepare students for the future.