Philosophy of Learning

I have been in the educational field now for six years and my philosphy of teaching has not changed and I don't believe it will. I have always wanted to make sure that my students are equipped with everything they need to make it to the next level. Being in the technology field that means that they must have access to every digital learning tool available.  This can be a laptop, iPad, iPod, desktop or the internet. Whatever the media, students have to have that exposure in order to succeed.  Teachers who hold back on using these tool are not only handicapping themselves but are also holding back our students.  We have to continue to press forward and stay one step ahead of them in this field. Students are learning new things everyday through the digital highway and if we don't follow suit we are doing them a disservice.

I will not compromise on education. Every student, from the disabled to the high perfoming deserve our best.  The best to me is qualified teachers, digital technology, access to the internet and quality instruction time. If our students see that we waste time in the classroom then they learn to waste time.  We have to become an institution of learning again and not glorified babysitters.  We need parental involvement and administrator backing to do our jobs effectively. We have to model the very thing that we emphasize to them.  Education is their job not just something to do. Just like a job they are expected to come in on time, be prepared and meet deadlines.  Practice does not make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect.



Responded to
FRED DAVIS
http://journalismandeducationgrist.blogspot.com/

Connectivism

According to Merrian-Webster online, (2011) networking is defined as "the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions; specifically : the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business. i am finding more and more that the way we communicate and network with each other has a significant effect on how we learn and what we learn. I network through a range of tools such as blogs, wikis, email, podcasting and social networks. I learn a lot by collaborating with others in my field through Facebook and email. Educational blogs have also taken me to a new level of understanding my students and how they learn also.




The best tool for me are wikispaces and virtual files. I use wikis for all my classes. I am currently in Orlando, FL at the FETC 2012 conference and I have done a weeks worth of work through podcasting the lessons and using my wikispace. The students (6-8 grade) were excited to hear me teach online and some of them even went home and did the lessons. I am thrilled! I have virtual files for all my students so they can upload their work to the file and I can check it at school without having to print anything. I like being able to comment on the work and they give me feedback as well. I am trying to give them the learning environment they will be using in the next few years in high school.




When I have questions the internet is my greatest source. Finding additional resources to enforce what I have learned is also a big challenge. I am finding that blogs offer the best information and good old online library research also helps.

Click on the image to enlarge!

Reference

Toney, T.(2011)Network Connections.Retrieved from http://toneyt.blogspot.com/2011/07/network-connections.

Webster-Merrian.(2011)Networking.Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/networking

Responded to
Debbie Morris
http://debbiemorrislearningtheory.blogspot.com/2012/01/module-4-january-252012.html?showComment=1327714450170#c8152157097321266374

David Davis
http://8845ltedtech.blogspot.com/2012/01/module-connectivism.html?showComment=1327716680576#c6528179658586668337

Collaboration

• 
  Mr. Rheingold believes that humans have a basic instinct to "to interact and work as a group." I believe that this new view of collaboration supports that. I do believe that we have a basic instinct to work together. In his speech he states that"you prove to me that you are trustworthy and I will cooperate."(Rheingold, 2005) I believe this is the new "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours."  We have come to find in this world that we cannot do most things alone. Collaboration is the way to get things done quicker. You can always find a way to get things done alone, but to work with others is the best way to succeed.  
• Constructivist's believe that we generate knowledge through experience and ideas.  Technology can help facilitate this by bringing together different groups of people and combine what they know in order to reach their goals. The internet, Skype, Dropbox and other collaboration tools can all be used to unite people all over the world to work together.  Our cell phones have become portable computers so that this can occur anywhere at any time. If we all bring our experiences to the table a lot can be accomplished.
• The case study I read talks about how student's cannot be educated the same way their parent's were. It also states that "students need to take part in complex, meaningful projects that require sustained engagement and collaboration."(Barron, Hammond, 2008) In this diverse world we live in collaboration is key or our students will be the one's left behind the curve in learning. We have to expose them to out of the box thinking now in order for them to be competitive.

Case Study

Powerful Learning: Studies Show Deep Understanding Derives from Collaborative Methods

http://www.edutopia.org/inquiry-project-learning-research

References


Barron, B., Darling-Hammond, 2008.Powerful Learning: Studies Show Deep Understanding Derives from Collaborative Methods. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/inquiry-project-learning-research.

Rheingold, H.2005. Howard Rheingold: The New Power of collaboration. Retrieved from 

http://www.ted.com/talks/howard_rheingold_on_collaboration.html


Responded to:
Cheryl Carroll
http://cacarroll57.blogspot.com/

Temeka Shingles
http://temekashingles.tumblr.com/

 Brenda McKoy
www.educlearn@wordpress.com

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

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

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

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

http://www.thesims3.com/

http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809804784/info

http://secondlife.com/