Ketan's Word List and RC Passage 28-07-2013
ketanbarde
Since purchasing a house "in need of TLC" (as the realtor said), my husband and I spend a lot of time researching home improvement projects. From painting to electrical, we enjoy learning skills that will help us maintain our home now and in the future. And thanks to the Internet, we have access to knowledgeable experts to guide us through these often daunting projects.
At first, my husband was skeptical of my DIY enthusiasm. When we found a pool of water behind the washing machine, I voted to hold off on calling a plumber. He raised an eyebrow: "You know how to fix that?" I stood my ground: "No, but I have YouTube. I'll learn." And I did. After some online research, I propped my laptop on the dryer and followed along as a professional showed me step-by-step how to remove the washer case, diagnose the problem, and ultimately, replace a hose clamp.
Most kids and teens probably aren't interested in learning how to fix a washer. But they're flocking to online spaces for a chance to learn on their own terms and in their own time. From guitar lessons to video game design, kids are taking advantage of the growing collection of tutorials and hands-on learning experiences available through digital media.
In a recent article in The Atlantic, Mimi Ito talked about the importance of self-directed and interest-driven learning for kids. Ito, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation chair in digital media and learning at UC Irvine, champions the way the Internet gives kids opportunities to learn in low stress, risk-free settings. She emphasizes that kids who spend all day (and often evenings) in structured educational environments can find freedom in learning from online tutorials, forums, and networks. In these spaces, they can stumble or even fail without fear of jeopardizing their GPA or social standing. And when they succeed, there's often a group of peers to cheer them on and offer feedback, whether face to face or through social networks.
Ito's thoughts on the way that young people use digital media to take charge of their learning struck a chord with me because of the work we're doing at Common Sense Media with ourLearning Ratings Initiative. Along with our trusted age-appropriateness reviews, we now evaluate the learning potential of apps, games, and websites and provide detailed guidance to help parents and kids choose digital tools that support learning a range of subjects and skills. An important goal is to help parents support kids' interests as potential entry points for future learning. For example, a passion for video games can lead to study of computer programming or graphic design.
this article gives a small view point into the changing ways of education and how today's youth are using the internet to teach themselves various skills.