Network Connections

Networking through blogs, wikis and online collaboration chatrooms have changed my whole concept of learning. It has instilled in me that learning comes from everywhere and not just textbooks.  It allows me to open up my thoughts and not put limitations on my students when learning.  Everything they need to know does not exist in a textbook.  I have learned more and more that in my field of study (technology) the best lessons come from hands on work rather than paper and pencil assessments.

I have found that the best digital tools to use are those that are most comfortable to the user.  I am more comfortable using wikis as a learning instrument so it is what I use most.  The students are made comfortable because of its ease of use.  I believe that you cannot teach from something you do not know anything about.  Blogs are interesting in that they allow expression of thoughts as would an essay in the classroom. Digital tools are a mainstay in our learning community and should be used wisely and more often that it is in the classroom.
To learn new knowledge when I have a question I tend to first go to the internet.  I then use a variety of search engines to narrow down the information.  Then I have to decipher the good information from the bad information. Once this is done, I can ascertain which source to use as the information I need. I can also use email and chatrooms that cater to the subject. Since the information age has taken the educational realm by storm it provides the most useful information to educators.





Posted comments to minerclass.blogspot.com and  http://edtheory7105.blogspot.com/

Collaboration

Do you believe that humans have a basic instinct to “interact and work as a group?

As humans I believe our basic instinct is to do for self.  Interacting as a group only works if their is some type of outcome that must come from working in a group.  Most of us do not realize that in our everyday life we are working together even if we are apart.  I am one of those people that believes that I can do what needs to be done and I would rather not have any help.  While group collaboration promotes social interaction it also brings out those who would rather sit back and do nothing while everyone else does the work. "
Students working in small groups tend to learn more of what is taught and retain it longer than when the same content is presented in other instructional formats. Students who work in collaborative groups also appear more satisfied with their classes." (Davis, 1993)With that being said it is of great benefit for collaboration to occur.

How can technology facilitate collaboration among learners based on constructivist principles?   

"Constructivism refers to the idea that learners construct knowledge for themselves---each learner individually (and socially) constructs meaning---as he or she learns."(Hein, 1991) With the influx of technology learning the constructivist way becomes more complex. If learners are to construct knowledge for themselves then the internet will be a great hindrance to that fact.  With so many ways to acquire information it is harder now to do so.  The way to overcome that is to create problem based projects and lessons that require the student to want to learn more and want to do the research. If that is the case then the internet becomes a learning tool, like a book, and students will construct the knowledge they need to acquire.

Research Study

To see more on this subject and develop a more educational opinion on it please view the link below which tells of a study on constructivism and how it affects student learning.

http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~jmromero/juans%20docs/eportfolio%20docs/constructiviststudy.pdf




References

Davis,B.(1993)Tools for Teaching ;Collaborative Learning: Group Work and Study Teams.Jossey-Bass Publishers: San Francisco

Hein, G(1991)Constructivist Learning Theory.Retrieved from http://www.exploratorium.edu/IFI/resources/constructivistlearning.html.

How do people learn best?

I am of the belief that all people learn best by hands-on learning.  I think that you have to see it, hear it, feel it and do it in order to understand it.  In a perfect world it would be how we all learn best.  My opinion is mainly based on the fact that I am a kinesthetic learner so it is how I learn best. As an educator, I know that there are many learning styles and that each person learns differently.  Although, I know this I still believe that if you actually have an activity to enhance your learning0 you will learn it quicker. 

According to Rossiter (2006), answering three questions will help you understand how you learn best.

1. "How does my brain work? (or How do I think best?)
2. How do I process or retain information best?
3. How do I share what I’ve learned best?"

In addition to Rossiter I embrace the theory of Howard Gardner which states that "each person has the same capacity for learning; the difference is HOW they learn. All people have a strength in one (or a combination) of the following seven intelligences:

• Linguistic: interpreting words help them learn best
• Logical/Mathematical: math, numerical or logical processes help them learn best
• Movement/Kinesthetic: action or “doing something” helps them learn best
• Musical: musical patterns and/or performances help them learn best
• Spatial: using the patterns of open or tight spaces helps them learn best
• Interpersonal: understanding the meaning and intent of others helps them learn best.
• Intrapersonal: understanding one’s own feelings and motivations help them learn best."

 For more information on multiple intelligences go to the following link:

http://www.howardgardner.com/MI/mi.html

I believe that the purpose of educational technology is to enhance the learning environment and to embrace the digital age in which we live.  Learning cannot be stifled through the traditional means of education.  We must move forward and provide more rigor in classes in order for our students to compete in the global society in which they will be living on their own soon.

References

Rossiter, M.(2006)How do you learn best?Retrieved June 11, 2011 from

http://www.suite101.com/content/how-do-you-learn-best--a9003

Principles of Copyright

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yBQke4q9sI

Please click on the link above to view the power point on my topic.

Static v. Dynamic Technologies

On the static versus dymanic pendulum I believe I am in between the areas of collaboration and content.  I am in the process of using collaborative technologies with my students as well as some of the teachers in my school system.  I am finding that as we proceed to advance in the technology area there are more opportunities for students and educators to embrace what's available and use it to it's full potential.  The more open we are about using these technologies and having the students use them I do believe learning will occur and grades will improve.  In this I want it now era if we don't give students what they love we will lose 90% of them in the classroom and they will simply do what it takes to get by instead of actually learning.  I hope through the process of this program to only enhance what my students get out of the classroom and I want to move more towards a virtual classroom when my students are absent.

See the static v. dynamic concept map below.

Static

Collaboration- Blogs, Wikis, Video Cards
Communication-Instant Messaging, Skype and Texting
Content-Webquests, Internet Scavenger Hunts and Listservs

Dynamic

Collaboration-RSS Feeds, Youtube and stream audio
Communication-VOIP, Virtual Worlds, and Web Conferences
Content-Digital Games, P2P Networks, and Learning Objects (video clips)

Engaging Learners with New Strategies and Tools

CCC

Content-Online resources/Educational Journals/Instructors

Collaboration-Blogs/Workgroups/Online Networks

Communication-Skype/Podcasts/Educational Chatrooms 

All of these technological tools will work well in the learning environment.  Content area requires that there are resources available to acquire the information, such as educational technology journals and a medium to get that information.  An instructor would serve as a valuable knowledge base to receive that information and to get insight on what is in the future for education.

For collaboration, any type of networking where two or more students can share and receive information would benefit all.  Use of blogs, networking groups and associations and online networks that promote educational technology would serve as a great base to get started.

Communication is the key to establishing a solid base for acquiring this knowledge.  In the classroom and with online studies the use of Skype and other web cam tools is very beneficial. Podcasts are the new wave for putting out information on a widespread basis. Educational chat rooms serve as a great medium for sharing and getting involved in technology discussions that interest you.

Assessing Collaborative Efforts

How should participation in a collaborative learning community be assessed? How do the varying levels of skill and knowledge students bring to a course affect the instructor's "fair and equitable assessment" of learning?

In a collaborative learning community it is imperative that the individual know how he/she is being assessed.  Dr. Siemens states that the assessment has to be changed in order for it to work.  He states that "the assessement must be based on the community approach and that introducing role-playing can contribute to a high functioning collaborative environment." He goes on to say that there must be a way for individuals to stand out, otherwise they may shut down because the "group" is being assessed and not what they know individually.  He states  that "blogging may help to contribute to the learning community.  This is because it gives the individual a chance to express themselves while still participating in the community."(Siemens, 2008)
I agree with Dr, Siemens on all points.  There must be a way for the individual to stand out even though they are being graded with the group.  Progressive learning will not occur if the student cannot function with the group.

If a student does not want to network or collaborate in a learning community for an online course, what should the other members of the learning community do? What role should the instructor play? What impact would this have on his or her assessment plan?

If a student does not want to participate with the group the group should find a way for them to participate without ostracizing the student.  There should be feedback given for any work the student does and he/she should still have to contribute to the lessons even if they are working alone.   The other members should provide feedback to the instructor on how they feel about this student and then it will be up to that instructor to create a comfortable environment for everyone to work together.  The instructor should play the role of instructor and keep providing ways to keep everyone engaged in discussions and lessons. This may slightly alter the assessment plan, however it will make everyone comfortable and the one student who likes working alone will get the same fair and equitable assessment that his classmates get.

References:

Siemens, G.2008Learning Communities. Laureate Education 2008

Siemens, G.2008Assessment of Collaborative Learning, Laureate Education 2008

Swan,K.2004.Relationships between Interactive and Learning in Online Environments."The Sloan Consortium".