Journal #7
Connected Classroom: Educational Crowdsourcing
Glen Bull

This article talks about the term "Crowdsourcing". Glen Bull describes the term as a process that is becoming more popular when addressing and solving problems that will lead to completion or achievment of goals. The process basically calls for outside the box thinking. If a group or organization is having problems completing an objective, they will outsource the problem to receive new direction with the hopes that a diverse perspective will produce the results needed. Sometimes these problem solvers are given cash rewards. The money involved is usually the driving force for these problem solvers, however ther are some exceptions. The challenge of solving the problem itself can be a motivator. The idea that Bull presents is that if crowdsourcing can be used for educational purposes their may be some benefit. However there can be some drawbacks as well. It's something that will be debated no matter how you look at it.

1. Are there any examples of crowdsourcing projects solved that can be educationally motivating?

A few years back ther was the "Race for Space" challenge. I can not remember what the prize money involved was, but the idea was for the general public to plan, build, and test, successfully, a craft that would reach outer space. The project attracted many science gurus from all parts of the world. The result was a ship, the Ansari X, whose engines were built and tested here in the United States by Burt Rutan. The excitement surrounding the project was incredible and it fueled the minds of students everywhere. This kind of motivation is what crowdsourcing can bring to the education field. I believe that there is currently a new challenge in the works to design a car that could travel cross country on one tank of fuel. Imagine all of the "outside the box" thinking that this sort of project can ignite.

2. Why is this sort of method encouraging to students?

I think that this sort of approach is encouragin because there are some students out there that are not being challenged. Their thought process is much more advanced that any classroom instruction can teach them. An example would be like a musician. He or she may be taught certain notes or pieces to perform at an adequate level of playing the instrument. But there are those musicians that begin to mold the music into their own self expression and transform the sound from adequate to exceptional. I firmly believe that there are students in all areas of study that do the same. They may be taught the basics of their respective area of study, but their own minds, work, and discipline will propel them to the next level.