Module 6 Digital Learning

Digital Learning

I am very familiar with digital learning having completed most of my graduate level work online.  I can also recall my face to face interactions in the classroom.  I needed the actual time management necessary to attend classes, but have needed the flexibility that asynchronous learning allowed as well.  I am a very busy procrastinator and have a slew of important distractions that require me to put off coursework until a more suitable time allows.  However, that time NEVER comes!  LOL  My understanding was only surface deep in face to face interactions because I didn’t have to participate, I could daydream, write shopping lists, etc. and read a chapter later and respond in homework.  However, online learning has a place for everyone to participate, offer their ideas and provide questions to clear up misconceptions.  I also like how everyone is able to see my understanding in my context so when they respond I can truly take their advice or comment to heart because they “know” me and understand my needs.  In face to face interactions the resources were very limited due to time to showcase.  Online learning offers a variety of resources that helps the learners meet the needs of the expectations or standards and the learner is able to view them all or pick and choose what suits them best; video resources, websites, research articles, books, etc.

My philosophy of learning hasn’t changed much.  I still believe all students can learn when we take the time to get to know EACH student in a way that we know what drives them, interests them, motivates them, and we understand where they come from so we can meet them where they are and fully explain to them where we WILL take them.  In a lot of circumstances the connectivist theory will meet them there since they are comfortable networking and learning via technologies.  I will say that my philosophy on teaching definitely needs to make some adjustments to line up better with my philosophy of learning.  Due to time constraints, I have not fully adopted the connectivist line of thinking when it comes to my students and my classroom.  I look forward to that balance coming very soon!! 

 

I responded to the following blogs:

http://danitaspot.blogspot.com/2012/11/digital-learning.html#comment-form

http://dorotheanelson.blogspot.com/2012/11/my-philosophy-of-learning.html?showComment=1353817881504#c5016552698991978648

 

Module 5 New Technologies

New Technologies

I am currently in various trainings to implement CANVAS Instructure, a new learning management system, with my fourth graders.  I am the ONLY teacher in the school of 28 homerooms that will attempt to do so.  My district is really excited about this implementation and it has been really easy for middle and high school teachers to transition.  However, they are trying to select a few elementary teachers to pilot the LMS in order to help with apprehension.  I commend the system for doing that, because OMG, if they brought this to the elementary school and had a whole group meeting saying this is where WE ARE going…there would be some angry, disgruntled teachers!! 

Back to my training, they captured my attention (A) by showing me how much of a 21^st century approach this would be for our students.  They showed me how relevant (R) this would be for my teaching, their learning, and parents involvement.  I am currently stuck on the confidence (C) portion of Keller’s ARCS model (Driscoll, 2005).  I have not seen enough training to understand exactly how to get started so therefore I am already overwhelmed.  In this fast pace world of teaching, we have no time to learn something new.  It has to be quick, painless, and seamless in order for teachers to be able to make a successful go of anything new.  I believe now the district should offer me a day of training to get started and build my confidence up.  Then, by troubleshooting through beginning efforts they would be able to generate satisfaction (S) from me.  ;)  

I am excited about this for my classroom and I am committed to make it successful, I am just nervous at this stage in the game.  

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

 

I responded to the following blogs:

http://dwedtech.blogspot.com/2012/11/obviously-use-of-technology-within.html?showComment=1353813428095#c7919716049810308086

http://ktino1.wordpress.com/2012/11/11/arcs-from-atttention-to-satisfaction/#comment-31

Module 4 Connectivism

I am connected in too many ways.  My children say that they cannot wait until I am finished with my EdS studies so I am not always on the computer.  Although, I feel the same way and I recognize their need for me, I am afraid I am on the computer for several other reasons as well. 

I try to save my computer time for after bed time, but several personal interests have me peering into my computer for answers.  I use Google Search or Pinterest to search for new ideas for a variety of needs.  I check Google images when searching for creative ideas to carry out a new project or check for understanding of what I thought something looked like.  I can be very creative, however often times I search ideas of others before turning to my own ideas of making it my own.  I check Facebook to learn about new people I meet or friends of close friends to look into personality differences.   YouTube and Vimeo meet several needs of videos I use to show my students and my children to prove a point or teach a lesson.

I go to Google Search about 15 times per day.  I use it all the time to search questions for my students, for my own children, and of course for myself.  I have gotten into the habit of using Google Search as a dictionary by typing “define:…”  I receive an instant definition and correct spelling.   I have recently started my own personal blog as a means of chronicling my life as a parent, but also for my children as a parent journal.  I have no recollection of my childhood, so it is my hope that my children will always know where they came from and how hard we worked to be the very best parents possible to them.  I love reading blogs and viewing Pinterest ideas from other mothers as a way of networking with other parents.   

 

I commented on the following blogs:

http://dwedtech.blogspot.com/2012/10/in-looking-at-this-mind-map-of-my.html#comment-form

http://skossivi.blogspot.com/2012/10/connectivism-figure-1_697.html?showComment=1351482330590#c6657368904977902577

 

Module 3 Collaboration

I believe God designed us to be inhabitants of the earth in order to work together to preserve it. When God created Adam, He then created Eve as a “helper” (Genesis 1:26-2:25).  God designed us to be social beings.  When the explorers came to North America it was by working collaboratively with the Native Americans that allowed them to become established on this land.  They didn’t read about what to do or solely draw from their past experiences to guide them.  I do believe humans have a basic instinct to interact and work together as a group of learners in every capacity.  Rheingold referenced the OpenSource sites such as Wikipedia and ThinkCycle as two technologies that have emerged as a means of working collectively (2008).  Both of these sites draw from those that wish to participate to produce a product that will ultimately serve others.  Online encyclopedia’s offer the same product as Wikipedia, but the latter was able to provide it for free online with no overhead of “professional experts”.  ThinkCycle posts problems for anyone with knowledge to submit ideas on how to solve the problems. 

Technology facilitates this collaboration because of the ability to reach globally for anyone to collectively contribute to the idea.   Social media sites have everything visible with a click of a button for anyone to partake in.  However, other forms of technology, wikis, blogs, and websites allow others to type in keywords and instantly come to the knowledge they wish to know more about or contribute to a cause. 

This research article discusses how the “cognitive load” is easier to understand when divided up among group members and recombined as opposed to learning all individually. 

 http://www.springerlink.com/content/1h12080677778135/

Reference:  Rheingold, H. (2008, February). Howard Rheingold on collaboration [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/howard_rheingold_on_collaboration.html

I commented on the following blogs:

http://sportz75.wordpress.com/2012/10/10/module-3-collaboration/comment-page-1/#comment-11

http://kburrough2012.blogspot.com/2012/10/collaboration.html?showComment=1350190492628#c5314217351430087423

Module 2 Learning Theories

Just like diets, learning styles, teaching styles, media, advice, etc. the best results are always found from using a little from everything.  There is no ONE CURE ALL remedy or answer for any problem.  The idea that how we all learn could only point to one theory is ridiculous!  Prior to reading these I probably would have felt like I had to pick a learning theory, but I agree with Kerr (2007) that each learning theory offers something useful for particular situations.  Also, Kapp (2007) states that learning is "multi-layered and multi-faceted"  and correlate to Bloom's Taxonomy.  If we want to produce critical thinkers and creative problem solvers we have to "cherry pick" (Kerr, 2007) from the different learning theories.

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

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

Module 1 Assignment

What are your beliefs about how people learn best? What is the purpose of learning theory in educational technology?

It is said that people learn best by doing.  Although, I do believe that to be true I tend to do my best learning by seeing how others have completed the task.  For example, after reading the resources and how other classmates have answered this question I have now formulated my thoughts and personal opinions and am able to answer in my own way.  I try to allow my students to discover the learning based on their past experiences/background knowledge and leave an opening where the new learning makes complete sense.  Through this method, the students hear each others' responses of what they think I am presenting and/or how they have experienced the topic. 

As an educator, we are obligated to our students to develop new learning under many different learning styles and approaches.  We must have a repertoire of resources available to combat all of the learning theories presented.

I posted to the following blogs:

http://sportz75.wordpress.com/2012/09/11/module-1-assignment-metaphors-of-educators/comment-page-1/#comment-8

http://kburrough2012.blogspot.com/2012/09/metaphor-of-educator.html#comment-form

Coming Soon...

Module's 1 assignment is coming soon!