I just learned from Twitter -- thanks @Twitter_Tips -- that the UK is currently contemplating introducing the social networking media Twitter to elementary school as part of the curriculum. Count that alongside other stuff like blogging, podcasting and Wikipedia.
According to Mike Butcher of the TechCrunch, the traditional education in areas like phonics, history and mental arithmetic will remain, but what should capture everyone’s attention – should this bold plan become reality – will be modern media and web-based skills.
I applaud the path that the British Government is going.
Even as I contemplate how someone like me will have to sweat tears and bullets to get relatively up to speed with the evolution of online social media and Web 2.0 from scratch, truly nothing beats learning the trade from young.
It’s possibly one of the most responsible things to do for the next generation to prepare them well for the new age of communication on the Web.
Of course, one concern is how the course will be taught, and whether teachers will be qualified to teach the subjects, and what kind of benchmarks will be set.
It’ll be a whole new challenge, so it’ll really be exciting to watch what happens to the English education scene over the next few months.
But I have a hunch it’ll come through.
After all, the British Government is already leading the way in many things social media, especially when even their Prime Minister’s Office is maintaining a presence on Twitter -- @DowningStreet – so nothing else should come as a surprise.
To be continued...