Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Cognitivism as a learning theory?

I read both of the articles below and came to one conclusion. I agree with Kapp's analysis.  Kapp said it best when he responded "We need to take pieces from each school of thought and apply it effectively because…Cognitivism doesn’t explain 100% how humans process information and neither does Constructivism or Behaviorism. What we need to is take the best from each philosophy and use it wisely to create solid educational experiences for our learners."(Kapp, 2007)


We cannot bubble education and think that what works for one works for all.  I have learned in the past that all students learn differently.  I have students with learning disabilities that must be almost hand fed the information. I have found that they can however show me a finished product and do it well when they are hands on with the material.  Students that grasp the information more quickly can express themselves both through testing and projects. Students on a higher level can be expressive in all three ways and beyond. 


Therefore, pieces from each concept need to be adopted  in order for teachers to ensure that they are reaching every child. According to Kapp, "The issue many forget is that “learning” is not one thing…it is a multi-layered word that tends to get treated as if it were just one thing…and it’s not. It is multi-facetted and that is why developing new models for “learning” is so difficult…there are too many levels for one school of thought or one model to do it all."(Kapp, 2007) 


I agree with this response wholeheartedly. With education always changing, we have to realize that we have to change as well.  In the field of technology, learning changes everyday and it is up to us as educators to instill this into our students and also recognize that we have to find different routes in order to do so.


References


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


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




I replied to:
Curtis Vavra at:
http://cvavra.wordpress.com/2011/12/19/98/#comment-57



Fred Davis' Blog:

http://journalismandeducationgrist.blogspot.com






Thursday, December 15, 2011

How do people learn best?

It has always been my belief that people learn best by doing.  If you see the actual product then you can relate it to the learning that has taken place. If you participate in the actual lesson then you can also see the outcome come to fruition in before your eyes. The more I teach the more I see that gives have to hear it, see it and do it in order to learn.


The critical elements of learning theories are observation, interpreting, evaluating, interaction, analyzing, problem solving and solutions.While Driscoll discusses these elements in detail, Siemens is more interested in how, when and why learning occurs. 


There are many roles that the educator can take on. I believe that an educator has to wear many hats in order to provide a better learning experience. " Each educator is set in a role that promotes learning through various methods of understanding. The educator as a master artist permits students to work in a setting that inspires creativity and open mindedness. This allows their ideas to flow unrestricted. The educator as a network administrator enables students to build networks of communication with each other. For an educator as a concierge they guide students to find the resources needed to build on their learning experience, similar to the educator as a curator." This educator "fosters and encourages learner exploration"(Siemens, 2008). I feel as though I am a network administrator of sorts.I guide students to the information that will help them with understanding of the lessons. I am in some cases one of all of these because as an educator one must differentiate instruction to keep learning ongoing.


References:


Driscoll, M. P.(2005) Psychology of Learning for Instruction (3rd ed.) Boston.Pearson Education, Inc.
Siemens, C.(2008)Learning and Knowing in Networks;Changing roles for Educators and Designers
Toney, T.(2011) How do people learn best? www.toneyt.blogspot.com


Responded to:
http://sandra-sandradykes.blogspot.com/2011/12/module-one.html?showComment=1324405429677#c7264125132023867416


http://cacarroll57.blogspot.com/2011/12/metaphors-of-educators.html?showComment=1324405693326#c7435141858882598470

Friday, November 11, 2011

Red Queens and Increasing Returns

When I looked for a video I found out we had the actual video at home. The movie also had recently been on television so I had a good memory of it.  I did not have to rent it which was fortunate for me but I would have used Redbox which is less than five minutes from my house.
I think the current competition is a great example of Red Queens.  I believe that dvd’s and video on demand has taken over so much that it leaves any of the other competition behind.  Studies have shown that the impact of video on demand and dvd rentals have decreased profits at the movies which in turn have increased prices for the consumer.  Consumers would rather stay at home than spend almost sixty dollars for a family of three to go out for the same entertainment.  I am one of those people who have decided that taking everyone out is too expensive since we are a family of five.  It’s cheaper to order pizza and order a movie online than going out.  I can honestly say it’s been at least three years since we have been out as a family to the movies.
I believe the two are on the obsolescence strand of McLuhan’s tetrad. I believe it is making the movie theatre and going to the movies virtually obsolete.   The two of them are strong enough technologies that they can stop the industry from making movies or at least making it so expensive to go out.  With HDTV and HD equipment at home the need for going to the movies is not a big one.
Reference:
http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/04/21/directors-protest-directv-video-on-demand/
http://www.wisegeek.com/why-are-movie-tickets-so-expensive.htm

Friday, October 28, 2011

Second Life

I listened to the theory on Second Life and I realized that I don’t really think it is a disruptive technology.  I feel that it is another way for people to express themselves and gives a sense of security to those who may not be socially able to meet people otherwise. When I first heard the term second life I thought in terms of second term battery lives and second lives of items.  The video by Philip Rosedale really opened up my thinking of Second Life.
Second Life replaced the way people socially interact and the use of online games. (Rosedale, 2008) It is a way of being around people without being around people.  As far as it being in its final stage I do not believe that to be true. To me it is still an emerging technology that has a long way to go before it is fully integrated into society. Movies like the Avatar have me realizing that second life is in its beginning stages rather than the end. 
The social benefits are that people that usually are introverts will become more involved in a virtual world.  There are people that are considered recluse and this is a way for them to come out of their shells.  The Sims started this trend to me and has taken on a life of its own. 
References:
Rosedale, P.(2008)Philip Rosedale on Second Life[video].Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/the_inspiration_of_second_life.html
Scoble.R.(2010)Is Second Life about to enter its second life?Retrieved from http://scobleizin.com/2010/02/22/is-second-life-about-to-enter-its-second-life/


Second life references

Friday, October 14, 2011

Rhymes of History

An example of technology that represents a rhyme of history to me is the video game system. I can remember back in the early 1980’s my brother had an Atari game system. Our favorite was the tennis games that had a black screen and a green ball that made a beep when it was hit by a blinking insertion bar. (That’s what it looks like to me now.) The system was brown large, heavy but loads of fun to us.  The graphics were horrible and the colors probably contributed to some of us wearing glasses at a young age. (Not a proven fact.) The joystick was huge and you used your whole hand to control it and not two fingers like they do now.
The video game market has increased its value a thousand times over with 3D graphics, virtual systems and interactive games that have taken video games to a whole new level.  The Nintendo WII system, Xbox and PS3 all remind me of the days when one simple technological device changed the way we played.  It was the beginning of inside play and kids not wanting to go outside anymore. 
Check out the sites below to show the evolution of the gaming systems from then to now.
Video on Kelly’s concepts of rhymes of history

Friday, September 30, 2011

Emerging Technology: The Cell Phone

The emergence of the cell phone into society brought about a huge impact on the way we communicate with the outside world. Cell phones have inundated our society to the point that everyone has one.  On April 3, 1973, at a public demonstration and using a heavy 30-ounce phone, Martin Cooper placed the first cell phone call to his rival at AT&T Bell Labs from the streets of New York City.(Marples, 2008)  Since this date the way we use the telephone has changed significantly. I can remember the early 1990’s and everyone wanting to have the “bag phone”. This phone was located inside of a tote bag the size of a purse that you could carry around with you. People paid huge deposits in order to have one and the price to maintain service was phenomenal. Now, we either pay by two year contract or month to month depending on the type of service you want. 
The cell phone has basically put into extinction the landline phone as well as the use of phone booths.  Most people have gotten rid of the landline phones in favor of portable service.  In the words of my husband, “I don’t want anyone having that much access to me!”. I don’t blame him. Getting rid of your phone enables everyone to have access to you 24/7 unless you are like me and cut your phone off after 8pm.  If you want me you better have my home number.  Phone booths have also mysteriously disappeared.  There used to be one on every corner and at least a station of them in the malls. Now you will be lucky to find one within 20 miles of your home. 
Cell service has, with all of its new gadgets made life a little easier for some.  We can now email, receive instant messages and chat online and also create and send documents to business meetings.  The cell phone has many of the capabilities of the computer.  For in its own right it is a mini version of a desktop computer.
I can’t help but get nostalgic about phones though. I grew up with rotary dial phones and was super excited when we got push button phones in our home. I remember the days of waiting in line for the phone at home and being made when I got a busy signal when I called home.  None of these things occur now because call waiting is standard on every phone package now. 
Cell phones have ushered in the phone companies marketing skills and they are now starting to look into the cellular business as a way to keep revenue coming in. Cox cable will start a new program offering cellular service according to an employee of the company. They are losing money to companies like Skype and others who offer phone service through the computer.  Newer versions of the phones themselves will likely replace the current versions.  There are 3-D phones out now and just about every phone system has the ability to surf the net and create and change documents.  

Reference:
Marples, G.(2008) The History of Cell Phones – A Vision Realized.Retrieved from http://www.thehistoryof.net/history-of-cell-phones.html