Learning in New Media Environments

I heard Michael Wesch speak earlier this year at the Cengage Technology Conference in San Antonio.  It was basically a repeat of this Ted talk.  I'm really glad I had a chance to relisten to this, because it brought to focus a few more things which I've been paying attention to more and more professionally: the need for Critical Thought.

I really liked his segment where he bulleted the following observations of  current trends, stating that there will be:

 

• ubiquitous networks
• ubiquitous computing
• ubiquitous information
• at unlimited speed
• about everything
• everywhere
• from anywhere
• on all kinds of devices

Michael then went on to and the word "almost " to the beginning of each statement .

The word "almost" creates the need for for voracious learners.  I really think the terms that might even be more applicable here , are those capable of thinking critically.  With the upcoming release of Google's Glass next year and the augmented realities that it will herald, puts the point on Michael's concerns.  I'm worried that an entire populace will be spoon fed information without thinking critically about its contents.  Will be in such a rush to gain just-in-time information, that we won't pause to think about it, to consider whether we should use it or concern ourselves with the source or its accuracy or inaccuracy.  Will learning actually occur in this type of environment, or will there be stagnation in its place?