Ushahidi illustrates that the donation of free time and talents plus digital technology equals Cognitive Surplus which focuses on the ability of the public to volunteer time and effort on large projects to create civic value. Civic value of shared information is the value of designing for generosity. There is 1 trillion hours per year of generosity available, and according to Clay, we need to tap into that resource. How can this be applied to education? One way possibly could be a method in which people could share insights into shared problems. By insights, I mean knowledge that is obtained by attaining a clear and deep understanding of a complex problem. If this information could be mined, verified and shared by people, then this could be a type of educational civic value
According to Clay, the gap that we need to traverse is between doing anything and doing nothing. At least those who produce pictures of cats are doing something. Clay suggests that we design for generosity. He cites a study of Deterrence Theory which states that if you want somebody to do less of something, punish that action. Unfortunately, I don't entirely trust in his example of people who are fined for picking up their children late from schools is a disapproval of deterrence theory as much as it is how a minor fine results in people saying it's worth it to continue a bad action. If the fine had been increased substantially, no doubt compliance would have followed suit.
What does it mean to say, "Free cultures get what they celebrate?"
I'm interested in your idea of somehow sharing insights into problems. I wonder if there was a place for people to share ideas about educational reform if it could eventually evolve into concrete legislative measures.
ReplyDeleteSharing insights could be helpful if it is both educators,students and staff. Oftentimes students are left out of decisions. What would happen if they were included to create this culture of generosity in the classroom?
ReplyDeleteInteresting comment about if the fine were significant then the behavior would stop. I agree that may be true in many instances, but it could also cause the daycare to lose business. Same with students and education--some may comply, but we might lose many in the process if the consequence is too big.
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