Learning in a Digital World

Technology has had a significant impact on the way I learn. I obtained my master’s degree through an online university and I am currently pursuing my specialist’s degree through Walden University’s online program. What I miss about the face-to-face learning environment is the direct interaction with the instructor and classmates. When you are face-to-face with others, you are able to get immediate feedback and clarification of what is being discussed. The online learning environment provides me with the exposure of technological tools that I probably would not be exposed to had I been in a face-to-face learning environment. The use of technological tools helps keep me engaged in an online learning environment. Incorporating these tools into the learning environment will further enhance my learning experience by building on my content knowledge and engaging in communication with my peers and instructor.

My philosophy of learning is that everybody can learn. All students need hands-on learning in order to effectively grasp the skill/concept that is being taught. The role of instructors is that of a guide. As an educator, I need to guide my students to their optimal learning experience. Regarding the theoretical approaches, it is difficult to say that one is more appropriate than the other since they all have their strengths. For example, the cognitivist theory considers how students learn by choosing materials that will help students learn the best way possible. Whereas, constructivist theories that support active learning, may provide students with a task such as creating a power point or video presentation to showcase their learning. This is also a great approach since it requires students to apply new knowledge while taking ownership over their learning experiences.

New Technologies

While it may be safe to assume that people have positive attitudes toward experimenting with new technologies in the workplace, it may be equally safe to assume that you will encounter people in the workplace who have low self-efficacy in experimenting with new technologies. Briefly describe a situation in which you have encouraged people to use a new technology and have been met with resistance or disappointing results. What attitudes did these people exhibit? What behaviors did they demonstrate? Using Keller’s ARCS model, describe how you could change the motivation of these people, or learners, to encourage success.

Debbie has been teaching fifth grade for almost ten years. She is a very energetic and a highly effective teacher.  However, she is not technologically savvy.  Her philosophy is “if it isn’t broke, don’t try to fix it”.   Last year, Debbie’s school purchased ELMOs or document cameras for all of the teachers to use inside their classrooms. Instead of using the ELMO, Debbie is still using her overhead projector. If no one takes the time to show Debbie how to use the document camera, it will stay in the box inside her classroom collecting dust. According to Driscoll (2005) John Keller’s ARCS model stands for attention, relevance, confidence, and satisfaction. To motivate my co-worker to embrace new technologies, I need to show her the importance of these technologies and how they are beneficial to her as well as her students. I will need to show Debbie the appropriate steps on how to use the equipment. By doing this, it will build her confidence to want to pursue the use of new technologies.

Reference:

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

Module 4: Connectivism Mindmap

How has your network changed the way you learn?

As I look at my network of personal and professional friends, I believe that I am constantly learning new ideas and gaining insights on innovative ways to do things. I am now able to collaborate with colleagues miles away. My learning environment is not confined to four walls anymore.

Which digital tools best facilitate learning for you?

The tools that best facilitate learning are the discussion boards, skype, blogs, and wikis. These tools allow me to collaborate with my classmates as well as with family and friends. I’m not limited to the way I can communicate with others and that’s how these tools facilitate learning for me.

How do you learn new knowledge when you have questions?

Whenever I have questions, I normally go to the internet to find the information. I am always goggling the internet for new ideas for my classroom, or decorating tips for the house. Texting has become my mode of communication, so if I need a quick answer to a question, I’ll usually texted a friend or colleague for the answer.



Module 3: Collaboration

Do you believe that humans have a basic instinct to “interact and work as a group,” as Rheingold proposed in his discussion of the evolution of Wikipedia as a collectively developed encyclopedia?

I do not believe that humans have a basic instinct to “interact and work as a group”.  As a first grade teacher, I experience this first hand. My students have to be taught how to interact with each other when they are working in a group. I think humans have to learn how to interact and work as a group. We need to teach and show students how to collaborate with each other at an early age so that by the time they reach secondary education and beyond, they will be able to collaborate meaningfully and effectively.

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

Incorporating technology is a proactive response to change because a lot of students are exposed to some form of technology. Constructivist theories support active learning that provide students with a task such as creating a wiki or blog, a power point or video presentation to showcase their learning. This is also great approach since it requires students to apply new knowledge while taking ownership over their learning experiences. The emergence of the personal computer and the miniaturization of different technologies have changed the way people learn, communicate and generate knowledge by allowing information to be readily accessible at all times. Technology allows my students interact with me and their classmates in a fun and meaningful way.

Find a current research study that has been conducted in the last 5 years that supports collaboration as an effective tool for learning. Include the link and reference for this study in your blog.

The following two articles support collaboration as an effective tool for learning:

Collaborative learning using a wiki.pdf and Using a wiki to evaluate individual contribution to a collaborative learning project.pdf

References:

Naismith, L. L., Lee, B. H., & Pilkington, R. M. (2011). Collaborative learning with a wiki: Differences in perceived usefulness in two contexts of use. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 27(3), 228-242.

Trentin, G. (2009). Using a wiki to evaluate individual contribution to a collaborative learning project. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 25(1), 43-55.

Module 2 Responses

I have posted to the following people:

Ellen Prescott: http://mathtechprescott.wordpress.com/2012/06/28/mod-2-discussion/comment-page-1/#comment-9

Kasey Langston: http://langstoneducationaltechnology.blogspot.com/2012/06/module-2-assignment.html#!/2012/06/module-2-assignment.html

Module 2 Assignment

After I read the blogs of Karl Kapp (Out and About: Discussion on Educational Schools of Thought) and Bill Kerr (_isms as filter not-blinker) about cognitive learning theory, I would agree with the statement made by Mr. Kapp (2007). He said “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.” In today’s classrooms, we see that our students have different learning styles. Because of this, we cannot focus our attention on just one learning theory. We must incorporate a variety of learning theories so that we can find the best way to help our students learn. Mr. Kerr (2007) said it best, “what I have noticed is that these _isms do not stand still. They evolve, they listen to criticism and move on.” As the _isms evolves, so must our teaching styles. Our students are unique and diverse and we have to cater our methodologies to their uniqueness and diversity.

Kapp, K. (2007, January 2). Out and about: Discussion on educational schools of thought (Web log post). Retrieves from http://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 from http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2007/01/isms-as-filter-not-blinker.html

Module 1 Responses

I have responded to following classmates' Module 1 blog assignment:

Nicholas Lapoujade: http://technonico.wordpress.com/2012/06/14/blog-assignment-1/

Reggie Malz: http://educationaltechnologyrm.blogspot.com/2012/06/teacher-metaphors.html