Learning Amongst the Riches: Students in the Cloud

One immediate issue I see when using social networks as a tool in the classroom, especially for institutions, a social network may diminish the value of the institution.  For example, an educator is hired by the institution to make the school more reputably/valuable.  If the professor was now available to the public the content in which the professor holds is worth less value.  Education institutions use knowledge/educators as a commerce they protect this with contracts and firewalls.  Personally, I am for the betterment of civilization.  A man such as Jonas Salk has worth more to the world, then any copyrighted product.

Secondly, The slowed-conversation idea, needed some clarification for me.  It is known most scientific findings are found decades before they are rediscovered by an extroverted scientist.  With that being said, even with the advent of the web or any variations of such.  The introvert scientist will still not convey their findings through social networks.  As the slowed-conversation pertains to the reading of text, it can not be said that a person can read information on the internet any faster then information from a book.  The reading also makes the printing of a text an arduous process and unlocking a books information is secretive. Lastly, the slow-down also pertains to groups of colleagues whom keep the findings within a closed circle.  I agree with this because, again I reiterate the information loses value as it is disseminated publicly.  The information can be thought of as learning the pledge of a magic trick, once understood, the trick not magic anymore.