“DOES ‘THE SOCIAL NETWORK’ HAVE IMPLICATIONS FOR TEACHING?” Part 3

WHAT’S SO SPECIAL ABOUT TSN?

Writing & Directing. Scalpel-sharp, machine-gun fire dialogue from The West Wing scribe Aaron Sorkin coupled with David Fincher’s thriller-paced direction turns the typically tedious, mundane, boring world of Website construction into a gripping, exhilarating, mesmerizing adventure, consistent with the Net Gener’s “twitch speed” of playing video games. It’s like a 2-hour sprint. You won’t fall asleep.

Transition to Web 2.0. The activities chronicled as Facebook was being built represent the quintessential 2003 example of the transition from Web 1.0 to 2.0, from “read-only,” passive viewing Websites to “read-write” participatory sites. Facebook ushered in a new generation of sites that required user interaction, active participation, and content creation. Users contributed content in the form of their personal profiles, pics, comments, etc.

Social Networking. TSN is a mind-blowing, once-in-a-lifetime success story that changed the world of social networking. The story is like the social network itself, still in motion and constantly being revised and rewritten. Zuckerberg started a global phenomenon he can’t figure out how to finish.

MESSAGE FOR TEACHING

Watching TSN reveals the techie potential that some of your students may possess, or not. The issue is assessing and tapping your students’ abilities and potential. Here are some thoughts:

1. Measure your students’ tech skills
2. How even or uneven are they?
3. How can you or other personnel/resources level the playing field to a certain standard of performance?
4. Consider how their skills may be applied in your course
5. Leverage the momentum of TSN while it’s hot. Explore how Facebook and other social media can be used as systematic teaching tools

GO SEE IT!

As a movie, TSN received critical acclaim with 97% of the critics giving it a positive review with an average score of 9.1/10 based on 217 reviews. It has been characterized as “impeccably scripted, beautifully directed, and filled with fine performances.” If you can squeeze it into your super-busy schedule, GO, GO. Sorkin’s zingy, dazzling wordplay with his scathing wit are worth the price of admission alone.

COPYRIGHT © 2010 Ronald A. Berk, LLC

Teacher as Performer: Putting It on the Line in an Audition

I just finished auditioning for a role in a commercial video course on statistics in a studio in Austin, TX. It was a “screen test” where I presented two 10-minute segments on stat topics of my choice. It brought new meaning to the phrase putting it on the line.

I recently published “A Tribute to Teaching: Putting It on the Line” (College Teaching, 2009, download from www.ronberk.com). The video series combines the human element in teaching with the high tech capabilities of video graphics. It put my teaching mind, body, heart, and soul on the line in front of the camera in a different way from teaching in the classroom. I don’t know what will happen yet, but it was a challenging and humbling experience.

LESSON LEARNED: At every turn in academia, we are given two choices:
(1) thoroughly do your homework and prepare to the max (aka 150% effort) in all of your close encounters with teaching, research, RFPs, publications, committee leadership, etc. OR

(2) compromise that preparation in favor of other priorities. I still live with these options daily in my speaking and writing.



A lesson that was indelibly etched in my brain by the fictitious law Professor Kingsfield in the 1973 movie The Paper Chase (and subsequent TV series) was NEVER EVER COMPROMISE your preparation for the courtroom, classroom, video studio room, or any other room. It is so tempting to pull back, rather than preparing and practicing over and over again up until the last minute. This screen-test experience affirmed the Kingsfield message. At least, when it’s all over and you’ve finished class, submitted the RFP or article or book manuscript, or completed the screen test, there’s the consolation that you know you have done your best. Even if you get whacked, which will happen, you put it all on the line. That’s still worth a lot. You can win or lose with your integrity intact.
 COPYRIGHT © 2009 Ronald A. Berk, LLC