Cyborg

Learning
Theory
by
Dallas McPheeters
dallasm@me.com
www.dallasmcpheeters.com
This presentation
http://issuu.com/dallas/docs/elearn2009
Definitions...
Information
reduces
uncertainty
Education
increased
capability

are we an information society

or an educated one?
Continuous Partial Attention

The present generation is disengaged

and education has become a game to win
by navigating and maneuvering within the
system. There is a disconnect between
learning and learners. We want to engage
young minds but how?
 “The Internet is composed of a ʻcloudʼ
of computers, constantly shifting, never
stable and that will therefore have a direct
effect on our notions of time and space,
and the traditional boundaries associated
with those concepts when they are fixed
rather than fluid.”
- Lawson & Comber

what impact does technology have on education?

The 2-Sided Debate...

Technofascists
control the Tool

Technophobes
control the Takeover

and the operative word is?...

Immigrant Commonalities...

Both want control

Both view tech as other

but a third view has appeared...

Native Commonalities...
New generation of technology
natives does not view
technology as other

Sees technology as an
extension of human identity

Labeled “Cyborg” (Cybernetic

Organism)

Hybrid of human and

technology
Rather than technology being applied to
human identity, technology actually
becomes part of the human expression
itself.

Thus the clear boundary between man and

machine is being blurred by the
technological revolution and to legislate
such a revolution becomes irrelevant in the
view of Cyborg culture.
here’s an example...
Post Modern View...
(Industrial view itemized the dots
& Modern view boxed the dots)

Can you connect the

dots using only 4
straight lines
crossing no more
than one time?

most of us have seen this...

Post Modern View...

Thinking outside the box is

SOOo last century

but Cyborgs can do it with only 1 line...

A Third View...
(Post Human)

In Calculus, a straight
line is a curve.

Can you break free of the old paradigm?

Existing Education System

Based on box-shaped mentality

Box shaped knowledge domains
Box shaped cultural norms
Box shaped expectations

did I mention the box shape?...

 When using social networking sites and
video games, youth follow a “learn to do” so
as to “learn about” model of learning,
whereas schools typically follow a “learn
about,” and then possibly a “learn to do”
model.
(Thomas & Brown, 2009)
Problem: Students are not permitted to
use mobile devices in schools and
therefore learn to use them for social
purposes rather than academic.
Cyborgs realize...

Humans are not box shaped

The answers being taught are based on
box shaped questions
Anyone can learn the right answers
Innovation comes from asking the right
questions
The Natives are Restless...
Mashup generation
Culture of uncertainty
Face unknown future
Tradition disconnect
Boundaries irrelevant
Random preferred
Predictable is stressor
Hint: they know we don’t know.
Cyborg Learning Theory...

Post Human
Blurred boundaries
Nomadic
Embrace ephemeral
Indefinable by nature
How to Engage a Cyborg...
Present a future of
fascination not fear
Flex boundaries collectively
Explore
Remove the pedestal
Visionize
Foster social learning
networks
Drop Our Concepts...
• Prepare them for the
voyage
• Train them on the new
platform
• Teach them how to
map their journey
• Visionize them to pay
the price
 References
This presentation: http://issuu.com/dallas/docs/elearn2009

References for this presentation may be located online here:

http://greenbananablog.org/2008/11/09/cyborg-learning-theory-and-the-
blurring-of-boundaries

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Thank you! Your comments?