Module 6: Learning in a Digital World

Technology has changed the way we learn, communicate, and live.  Prior to my experience in the online environment, I used technology only to research or surf the web for personal uses and play around at my leisure.  In my experiences in the traditional face to face environment, technology was only used via the computer to complete assignments and do research.  My experiences in the online environment and the recent push to incorporate technology into the classrooms have led me to experience numerous tools to use to collaborate, communicate, and learn with various people and without time constraints.  I have recently learned to use tools such as blogs, wikis, and other programs to enhance learning for myself as well as my students.

My personal philosophy of learning is that learning in today’s digital society is practically impossible without technology.  I think the connectivism explains the way we learn in this digital era.  Siemens (2009) states that learning is the act of connecting to other people or to data and other information sources.  Students are exposed to a variety of information through immediate access to the Internet.  Students are also using a multitude of technology tools on a daily basis outside of the classroom.  The role of the educator today is to assist learners in forming diverse networks (Laureate Education, Inc, 2009).  Technology use in today’s classroom is critical and an absolute non-negotiable when ensuring student success and preparing them for a future in a digital and global society.

References

Laureate Education, Inc., (Executive Producer). (2009). Connectivism Learning Theory. [Video webcast].   Retrieved from            http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=6509858&Survey=1&47=            9580570          &ClientNodeID=984645&coursenav=1&bhcp=1

Other Comments

http://suzannereaidsscholarsblog.blogspot.com/2012/05/mod-6-my-philosophy-of-learning-it-is.html?showComment=1338130047531#c2377262665839365652

http://decdr.blogspot.com/2012/05/learning-in-digital-world.html?showComment=1338130389793#c546230370187955533

Module 5: New Technologies

I don't personally have a situation where I introduce some form of technology and didn't receive any resistance to using it.  One of the recent situations that I experienced was utilizing wikis and prezis in my STEM classes.  I actually mentioned to one of my colleagues that I had used these tools in my online class and thought it was something that could be used in our classes.  She was very interested in learning about the new technologies and we immediately looked at how we could use them effective for our students in an upcoming assignment.  As a result of her interest, we had our students use prezi to present their findings following a webquest on energy sources and she and the students loved it.  It also sparked some interest in other teachers because the students were eager to show off what they had learned and created in their other classes.  I would definitely say that using Keller's ARC model to introduce new technologies is a good starting point to get buy-in from those now familiar or wanting to do more with technology.  Gaining and sustaining attention, enhancing relevance, building confidence, and generating satisfaction are keys to getting individuals motivated to learn new things.


Reference
Driscoll, M. P. (2005). Psychology of learning for instruction (3rd ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education.

Other comments:
http://jygreensblog.blogspot.com/2012/05/module-5-new-technologies.html#comment-form

http://decdr.blogspot.com/2012/05/new-technology.html#comment-form

http://anwar-mohammad.blogspot.com/

Module 4: Connectivism

Siemens (2009), states that learning is the act of connecting to other people or to data and other information sources.  Technology tools such as blogs, wikis, and other social networking sites have allowed learners to acquire and share knowledge to others in an instant. Connectivism has provided a platform for me as an educator to use technology and incorporate various tools to allow students to learn using diverse networks and acquire new knowledge on a continuous basis.  These tools have also allowed new ways of learning to occur for myself as well. As a result of using these tools in my coursework, I have learned how to use new technology tools to incorporate in my classes.  The digital tools that best facilitate learning for me have been wikis and blogs.  I have learned how to use these tools to connect and share my learning experiences with my peers and collaborate with others.  Even though I still use the Internet for research and acquiring new knowledge, being exposed to these other new tools have opened my eyes to more options for learning.

References

Laureate Education, Inc., (Executive Producer). (2009). Connectivism Learning Theory. [Video webcast].   Retrieved from    http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=6509858&Survey=1&47=9580570            &ClientNodeID=984645&coursenav=1&bhcp=1

Other comments

http://jygreensblog.blogspot.com/2012/04/module-4-connectivism-mindmap.html?showComment=1335756962523#c6294949914100952851

http://schroederedtech.blogspot.com/2012/04/module-4-network-mapping.html?showComment=1335757151085#c8579420940197650650

http://edtechlearningtheory8845-2.blogspot.com/2012/04/connectivism-how-has-your-network.html?showComment=1335757427239#c6726584429623947920

Cognitivism as a Learning Theory

Module 2-Blog 2

Kerr and Knap share in their blogs their personal stances on the evolution of learning theories and their respective places in the educational arena.  Kerr (2007), stated that _isms offer us something useful without being complete or stand alone.  I agree with his statement because I think that as learning theories have been studied, each new theory somehow stemmed from a previous school of thought.  Using _isms as a filter instead of a blinker to guide us thorough how we learn is a great way to look at these evolving theories (Kerr, 2007).  Kapp (2007) also stated that learning is multi-faceted and should be treated as such.  I agree with Kapp’s statement because learning does occur differently from one person to the next.  I think it is best to take a little from each theory and use them according to the individual needs of the student.

References

Kerr, B. (2007, January 1). _isms as filter, not blinker [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2007/01/isms-as-filter-not-blinker.html

Kapp, K. (2007, January 2). Out and about: Discussion on educational schools of thought [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://www.kaplaneduneering.com/kappnotes/index.php/2007/01/out-and-about-discussion-on-educational/

Other responses
http://jygreensblog.blogspot.com/2012/03/module-2-cognitivism-as-learning-theory.html?showComment=1333935556161#c7808307381818717354

http://schroederedtech.blogspot.com/2012/03/module-2-those-isms.html?showComment=1333937521914#c397793386478229342

Module 1

Learning takes place in many different ways and through many different styles.  According to Driscoll (2005), learning involves the acquisition of knowledge and how we come to know things.  Siemens (2008) suggests that knowledge is gained by experiences.  Learning theory in educational technology is very important given the wide array of experiences that are created through various technological sources.  Siemens (2008) also states that learners should be able to see connections and make sense of the world and act within it in creative ways.  Driscoll and Siemens provide great examples of the critical elements of learning theory and share similar views of the theory.

Educating students requires instructors to adopt several roles for teaching students.  Siemens (2008) describes the roles of educators as being master artist, network administrator, concierge, and curator.  I think the role that best describes an instructor in a digital classroom or workplace is that of a curator.  I agree with Siemens that educators should assume dual roles that foster learning and exploration.  In order for students to be successful in learning, instructors must interact with students in different ways.

References

Driscoll, M. P. (2005). Psychology of learning for instruction (3rd ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education.

Siemens, G. (2008, January 27). Learning and knowing in networks: Changing roles for  educators and designers. Paper presented to ITFORUM. Retrieved from         http://it.coe.uga.edu/itforum/Paper105/Siemens.pdf \

http://davidjmilleralf.blogspot.com/2012/03/module-1-blog-topic-assignment-david.html?showComment=1331949771925#c1138722043132287907

http://schroederedtech.blogspot.com/2012/03/educator-metaphors.html