Living and Learning with the New Media: Summary of Findings from the Digital Youth Project

I'm still exploring Web 2.0, Library 2.0 and Education 2.0 and what all of this new social media means for libraries. I'm also currently halfway through Disrupting Class, and I'm very aware that all of this 2.0 media is a "disruptive technology" for the library world and what libraries will look like in the near future.

Here are some quotes from the Living and Learning with New Media study that I've decided to ponder (coral emphasis is my own):

"This study was motivated by two primary research questions: How are the new media [Web 2.0 stuff: social networks, online games, iPods, etc.] being integrated into youth practices and agendas? How do these practices change the dynamics of youth-adult negotiations over literacy, learning, and authoritative knowledge?" (1).

"The digital world lowers barriers to self-directed learning" (2).

"New media allow...freedom and autonomy...Youth respect one another's authority...are often more motivated to learn from peers...and the outcome emerges through exploration...[instead of] set, predefined goals" (2).

"Rather than assuming that education is primarily about preparing for jobs and careers, what would it mean to think of it as a process guiding youths' participation in public life more generally?" (3)

http://digitalyouth.ischool.berkeley.edu/files/report/digitalyouth-WhitePaper.pdf