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.