things to learn from Matt Edgar on Vimeo.
After a gloriously unplugged day, I booted up my laptop and rediscovered why I love being connected. One of my most inspirational online friends, Jeanne of Soultraveler3, retweeted a video link from social media superstar, Guy Kawasaki. They were sharing a video created by a Dutch group, Kinderpostzegels, that might as well have been made just for me.
Before I tell you about the video, I just want to stop for a second to admire the beauty of these connections and the media-rich world that we live in. Soultraveler3 is a family on an extended world adventure, currently living in Spain. Guy Kawasaki was born in Hawaii, and currently lives somewhere in America where sushi is not called bait. If I had to guess, I’d say he’s somewhere in California.
Here I am, on a snowy morning in Upstate New York, watching a video made in Holland and shared around the world instantaneously. Social media is full of warts, but there is no denying that it’s full of marvels too.
Using English captions and brilliantly simple illustrations, the video reminds us to let children learn at their own pace, and in their own creative ways. Although targeting children, I believe the message of allowing learning to take place, in its own, sometimes unexpected way, is relevant at all ages.
I was curious about the organization that prompted this video, and decided to explore the Kinderpostzegels website. Since I don’t speak Dutch, I had to rely on a free online translator to figure out it’s purpose. Apparently, the organization encourages Dutch children to raise funds for less privileged children by selling postage stamps. The idea being for children, by children.
That’s a great idea, as children learn important skills and are empowered as they help other children. Of course, service learning benefits all life-long learners, and not just children. An individual learns as much about themselves as they do about others when they take on service projects.
Thank you, my online friends, for sharing this video. It’s a lovely reminder of the power and beauty of learning, anywhere and anytime.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Love the video, Sandra! Thanks for sharing it.
I too love the connections we are now all able to make using this wonderful thing we call the internet, but at the same time, I believe we should practice everything in moderation. We’re now constantly surrounded by advanced technology, which brings us not only a world of good, but a world of distractions as well. As much as i enjoy it, it feels good to step away from it too.
.-= Dawn Riccardi Morris´s last blog ..Nonfiction Monday: Celebrating Chinese New Year =-.
Dawn,
So true! Trying to find that balance between the marvels and the warts is challenging for us adults, and problematic for children. That’s one of my projects this year, to figure out what is healthy digital learning.
Sandra
.-= Sandra Foyt´s last blog ..Let Children Learn, and Adults Too! =-.
Cute video. I agree about online connections. Have a story to share that I’ll blog, maybe for tomorrow.
.-= ChristineMM´s last blog ..Homeschool Curriculum List for My Seventh Grader 2009 to 2010 =-.
Isn’t it cute? So glad that you enjoyed it!
I love the amazing connection & collaboration that we can do today as I have met so many amazing people….like you!…that have enriched our lives and our travel.
Keeping that balance is also so important because the internet is addictive & a time suck, so I also enjoy times where we are totally unplugged & out in nature. We put LOTS of restrictions on kidlet’s media time.
On that note, I’m off to bed, it’s late here in Spain!
.-= soultravelers3´s last blog ..Seth Godin, Linchpin, Education & Travel =-.
Thank you for this post! When caught up in the daily life of homeschooling, it is easy to lose the big picture. This video is an excellent reminder.
And yes, social media (and the internet in general) made the world a much smaller place.