Distracting Education: Social Media vs Deep Knowledge

Life, Stan Wayman, 1964

I never got to see The Beatles live in concert, but my Mum did. And apparently they were loud; well, the screaming was - she didn't hear much of the music, but she never forgot the experience.

Today, I can listen to The Beatles or watch a performance. I can join an online group to discuss which Beatle was more talented, or better looking. But I can never see them perform live; never enjoy Beatlemania.

Applying this to education; I believe virtual teaching, and embedded social media, are beneficial in some circumstances, but they are inferior substitutes for discussions in a real-world space with an expert mentor and a group of peers. They may in fact distract from a deep learning experience.

Video Conference and shared Interactive Whiteboard

Virtual Classroom

Just like the difference between watching a concert on TV and actually attending the concert, the emotional and sensory difference of watching a lecture online and actually being in the room may be measurable.

There are certain circumstances where virtual is the best you can get. For example taking a virtual excursion through the Powerhouse Museum, and asking the curator about the Enigma machine as he describes it's purpose and function. Much more viable than loading the class on a plane!

But as a learning experience I would argue that it's more memorable and valuable to actually be in the Museum, speaking face-to-face with the curator, and seeing the Enigma in real-space.

After teaching an HSC course via a virtual classroom for two years, virtual may be the best-effort when circumstances prevent real-world interaction; but when possible, real-world experience provides better sensory and memory learning.

laurenmacewen.com/category/socialmedia/

Social media

My understanding of the purpose of social media in education is to improve student engagement; to promote shared experiences. I have seen how shared experiences such as in-class debates, performances, brainstorming sessions, and group projects have helped students explore personal qualities in a safe environment which they may have never attempted otherwise.

I've run classroom blogs and forums, and these can engage students (particularly the quiet/shy); but I think a teacher understands the needs of the class far better via direct contact; when you can "see the whites of their eyes".

In general, the "social" classroom (particularly for high-school students), is less about engagement of ideas, and more about discussion of things (e.g. cars), or people (e.g. celebrities).

And, due to the Dunning-Kruger effect, students can not be expected to evaluate their own learning needs, or that of their peers. Consequently, they are unlikely to independently commit time and resources in order to focus on the details and conceptual applications of a new idea; and therefore never acquire deep knowledge or understanding.

In fact, social media may inhibit or distract from real discussions about the core concepts.

Neuroplasticity

Deep Knowledge

Having an expert mentor to guide you through a field of study is essential.

Deep knowledge and understanding in any subject requires focused time and energy:

1. to establish links to previous knowledge
2. to explain, comprehend, and reinforce concepts
3. to examine conceptual application in familiar and unfamiliar settings

The expert mentor can guide students through the concepts, and peers may contribute additional linking material, but if the social media conversation does not contribute to the depth of knowledge, it might distract and/or detract from the train of thought, drawing focus away from the subject, and disengaging the neural pathways that are required for deep knowledge.

Summary

I believe the best learning environment is with an expert mentor (and maybe some curious peers). Students can interact in real-time, grow as people, and grow in knowledge and understanding, without the filter and delay of intermediary technology. Virtual classrooms and social media are great substitutes if you can't engage in real-world activities due to distance or other circumstances; but they are only substitutes.

Online learning, virtual classrooms, and social media might be best-effort pedagogy, but not best-practice pedagogy. There's nothing like seeing the band perform live.