Connectivism

As a learner my network is very important in my success as a student. My network provides support in all aspects of my life. I have most recently begun to develop more connections and networks in regards to school and work. I have always been a good co-worker but maintaining connections has been difficult prior to technology. Technology has provided a means to keep in touch with co-workers and former co-workers; providing the opportunity to expand my network in this area.  To maintain connections I have utilized a multitude of social networking technologies. These technologies provide myself and others the opportunity to maintain connections without having face to face interactions.

As I reflect on my learning and connectivism, I realize that most of my learning is derived via connectivism. I am a teacher because the adults in my life were teachers; I learned from them the importance of education and being an educator. Thus my connection to education has propelled my lifelong decisions. When I have questions about materials that I am not familiar I pose the question to all of my networks to find if anyone can help me with gaining a better understanding. I also utilize the computer; however, having someone that has experience with the topic of discussion is better for me.  I teach my students that “Smart people get smarter because they are not afraid to ask questions”; because that is what I believe. Building a network of people that have various backgrounds and varying experiences is helpful in the learning of everyone involved for this reason.

Collaboration

In my experience, I do believe that humans have the instinct ability to “interact and work as a group”. I believe this to be true based on examples: (1) The International Space Station: a collective effort of the Russian Federation, the United States, Japan, Italy, and the European Union; (2) The development of the Common Core Standards: 48 states have adopted and agreed upon a curriculum to be taught to students for grades K-12; Farming cooperatives: when farmers allow for supporters to pay a fee to assist with maintaining a farm and in return get product from the farm; and (3) Amway Global partnerships with other businesses. These examples come from differing fields (science, education, farming, and business), but they provide insight of the expansion of collaboration in multiple fields.

Constructivists believe that knowledge is constructed as learners attempt to make sense of their experiences; and learning includes: reasoning, critical thinking, understanding and use of knowledge, self-regulation, and mindful reflections (Driscoll, 2005). Technology lends itself to constructivist principles because it allows students to work in collaborative groups or independently to construct knowledge. Collaboration is learning via a social process that requires that the learner is an active participate of the learning process (Serce &Yildirim, 2006). For this reason, Collaboration is an example of constructivist principles. Learners can utilize applications such as wikis, blogs, social networking, and document sharing. Via these technological advancements learners have the ability to collaborate utilizing synchronous or asynchronous modes of communication.  Due to the fact that the work environment is rapidly moving toward employees thinking creatively, solving problems, and making decisions as a team (Serce &Yildirim, 2006). As educators it is in our students’ best interest that we prepare them for the work force of tomorrow by providing with lessons that utilize both collaboration and technology.

Case Study that supports collaboration as an effective tool for learning.

Serce, F. C. & Yildirim. S. (2006). A Web-Based Synchronous Collaborative Review Tool: A Case Study of an On-line Graduate Course Educational Technology & Society, 9 (2), 166-177. Retrieved from  http://www.ifets.info/journals/9_2/14.pdf

References

Amway Global (2012). Partner Stores A-Z: List of Stores. Retrieved from http://www.amway.com/Shop/Product/PartnerStore.aspx

Common Core State Standards Initiative (2012). In the States. Retrieved from http://www.corestandards.org/in-the-states

International Space Station (2012). Module List. Retrieved from http://sites.google.com/site/issinspire/home/design/modules

National Council of Farmer Cooperative (2012). National Council of Farmer Cooperatives Representing the Business Interests of Agriculture.  Retrieved from http://www.ncfc.org/

Serce, F. C. & Yildirim. S. (2006). A Web-Based Synchronous Collaborative Review Tool: A Case Study of an On-line Graduate Course Educational Technology & Society, 9 (2), 166-177. Retrieved from  http://www.ifets.info/journals/9_2/14.pdf

Cognitivism as a Learning Theory

In the field of education –isms are the norm. Every few years there is a new –ism that is adopted by the powers that be.  That is expected to be seen in each and every classroom regardless of whether or not this –ism is in the best interest of the students in your classroom. I do believe that there is validity in all of the –isms, however every –ism many not apply to every student.  It is important that we not pigeon whole education for teachers or students. Education is a marvelous entity that can be acquired via multiple ways. –Isms are great for helping educators identify how students learn best and using these strategies to help students acquire the skills they need to be successful in the educational process.  For this reason I find Kerr’s view of the –isms to be very insightful.  Kerr’s concluding statement that –isms are important but use them as a filter, not as a blinker (Kerr, 2007). Kapp states that we need to take pieces from each school of thought …cognitivism doesn’t explain 100% how humans process information and neither does constructivism or behaviorism (Kapp, 2007). It is apparent that the study of human thought and the thought process will always evolve. As educators it is our job to filter through this information and find what is best for our students.

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/

Module 1 Assignment

What are your beliefs about how people learn best? What is the purpose of learning theory in educational technology?

In my studies of modalities, brain-based learning, constructivism and teaching experience; I have come to realize that all students have their own learning style, that the brain processes information in a multitude of ways that are appropriate for learning, and that allowing student the opportunity to build upon their own experience helps students develop and understand concepts.  I developed an understanding that all students do not learn in the same ways. George Siemen states that teaching and learning for the future will require that educations roots as “factory school model” is no longer compatible with the digital age students of today (Siemens, 2008, p. 8).

Learning theory is important to educational technology because all forms of education must utilize some method of ensuring student learning. Behaviorism has led to the develop of instruction with goals that should be achieved and managing learning (Driscoll, 2005, p. 57). This is important to educational technology because technology is now providing teachers the ability to identify student achievement via learning management programs such as DIBELS or STAR Reading and Math.  Even some textbooks include online capabilities.

Resources:

Driscoll, M.P. (2005). Psychology of learning for instruction (3^rd 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.

Gaming Presentation Again

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 This is the link: Gaming Presentation

Final Project: Gaming

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Gaming Presentation

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In understanding static and dynamic technologies I found it difficult to identify technologies that fell into only one category. This difficulty came mostly because identifying technologies as static or dynamic is determined by the user. All technologies have the possibilities of being dynamic if utilized that way.  As instructors think of utilizing technologies, they must also take full advantage of these technologies. Instructors should use the community of Inquiry model to not only form community but also provide dynamic experiences for students.  I identified the following as static because the user can use these technologies just to gather information: Hand held wireless devices, RSS and atom feeds, wikis, instant messaging, blogs, web conferencing, steaming multimedia, and file sharing. However, these same technologies can be dynamic. The two technologies that I consider to only be dynamic is virtual worlds and digital gaming. These two technologies require the user to take a more active part in the experience and without being part of the experience not content,  communication, or collaboration will take place, nor will the participant be successful in the virtual world or the digital game.