As technology advances, life patterns change – and vice versa. Such changes affect a number of societal factors.
Her mother is starting to use Facebook, giving her more opportunities to see pictures of grandchildren, but she seems less likely to call or stop by instead. Smartphones and GPS devices mean fewer people are buying maps or stopping and asking for directions.
Etc.
As “things” change, new “things” become valuable. New currencies appear – and new currencies offer new opportunities for exchange.
See also 6 technology integration ideas for every content area and grade level
trading ideas
What if hobbies, expertise, and original thinking were a currency in the pursuit of learning? What if you traded one idea for another?
What impact might this have on not only learner engagement and accountability, but more importantly, the way community members interact with each other?
How could this model be integrated into formal learning environments?
And perhaps most importantly, how does this approach disrupt traditional power relations in learning environments? How do equitable conditions empower all learners?
I don’t know. It’s not a practical idea—just thinking out loud.
What if ideas – creativity, especially knowledge, divergent thinking, synthesising existing ideas into new content and forms, etc. – were a more formal currency? As it is, they need to be transformed into sustainable and compelling business models.
That doesn’t seem like our best mindset as a culture, does it?
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