Welcome to my Digital Artefact for my E-Learning and Digital Cultures class through Coursera.com.

I would like to address the topic of being human in a digital world.  Please begin by viewing:


http://youtu.be/ZSLSd1xK6eo

Digital education is the present and the future.  As an educator, I know that younger students grow up in a world with technology, and it affects their learning style.  To accommodate all my students, I assign readings but also provide PowerPoint files, links to videos, and interactive websites to reinforce their learning.  One concern that I have is that they must be responsible for their own learning and that I am not simply entertaining them.  Thus, it is a constant challenge of blending the newer technological resources with the traditional modes of education.

Learning begins and continues to occur in different ways, far beyond the classroom and textbook.  A student's home life, culture, personal experiences, and the ever changing world around us contribute to this learning.  It is hard to be isolated from the world with the abundance of technology that surrounds us.  Another area that I have an interest in, as both an educator and a mother, is video games, specifically World of Warcraft.  Although I've never played the game, I have seen some of the game being played by others.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with it, players form guilds, enabling people to meet and make friends from all over the world.  Can we see the connection between this game and digital learning?  There are certainly some very positive aspects to this game, such as development of eye/hand coordination, team building, meeting and addressing obstacles and challenges, and a sense of camaraderie.   On the negative side, this digital world can become all too consuming.  Please take a few minutes to watch one player's experience with this game over a period of six years:


http://youtu.be/pB5cSLdOr8U

In conclusion, I am old enough to have witnessed the advent of technology and the great changes it has brought about.  On the other side, I think it is important to point out that we must be aware the world of technology is not real life, nor can it ever replace it.  Rather, we should use technology to complement, not replace real life.