I had a pleasant surprise earlier this week when I checked to see if there was a Wikipedia article on the Comox Glacier.  This magnificent glacier is the defining landmark that looms over the Comox Valley, where I live on the east coast of Vancouver Island.  The Comox Glacier is also what is pictured here in the header of my blog.

Not only was I pleasantly surprised to find that there is indeed a Wikipedia article about ‘our’ glacier, I was downright delighted to discover that one of my own photos has been used to illustrate it.

This picture is from one of my Flickr sets entitled Comox Glacier.  As is the case with everything I share online, the picture is licensed under the Creative Commons.  I don’t take pictures for other people, but it sure warms my heart when anyone appreciates, enjoys or otherwise uses something that I have created and shared.

Another way of saying this is that my engagement in photography is multiplied many times over because I share my work with a global audience.  Sometimes I even get feedback, and that feedback is almost invariably positive.  As a result, I’m even more motivated.  I’m pretty sure that the increased engagement and motivation results in me setting higher standards for myself.  It certainly means that my photography gives me a great deal more pleasure.

It is significant that I own the task, that I take pictures for myself.  My engagement, motivation, satisfaction, and enjoyment, however, are all enhanced greatly because I have the opportunity to share what I do with an authentic audience.

If we want learners to be truly engaged, it is imperative that each learner owns his or her learning.  This is as true of the learning tools used as of the learning tasks.   If the learner is to own it, it is essential that the learning task be both meaningful and authentic for the learner.  I’m completely convinced that the opportunity to share with a global audience can only help.  In today’s world, there is no excuse for not making this opportunity available.