Module 4 Responses

Responded to:

Rosalyn Richards: http://rosalynrichards.wordpress.com/2013/10/23/module-4/comment-page-1/#comment-62

Marie Anglin: http://marieanglin.wordpress.com/2013/10/26/educ-7105-module-4/comment-page-1/#comment-11

Also responded to anyone that commented on my blog.

Learning Through Networking: Connectivism (Mod. 4)

How has your network changed the way you learn? 
As I have gotten older my networks have expanded to include a wide variety of people and professionals.  Because of this I am able to lean on the knowledge of those in my networks more than ever.  Instead of seeking my own knowledge from the start, I am able to access the information and knowledge of those in my networks.  Although it would be easy to take the word of some in my networks, this often leads to further research.  I would say that my learning has become a combination of discovery learning and information verification.


Which digital tools best facilitate learning for you?
Depending on the topic, there may be a wide variety of tools that facilitate learning for me.  In a formal learning setting, the class discussions on our classes at Walden University help me learn best.  It is always enlightening to see and read the different perspectives of people in the class discussion.  Because instructional technology encompasses more professions than just teachers and educators, it is always informative to hear the perspective of those in the business sector, or those in the private sector in general.  

When it comes to the social learning or things involving my family, Facebook is generally something that facilitates learning the best.  While that may seem overly simplistic, Facebook offers communication that is informative and can be synchronous and asynchronous.  It allows for me to discover information without directly contacting the people posting information.  It also allows me to contact and communicate with a wife variety of people across great distances.  This is something that would inhibit communicating with telephones and letters.  

How do you learn new knowledge when you have questions?
I have always been a discovery learner.  Before seeking this opinion of those close to me, I seek to find as much information as possible on the topic in question.  Once I find information I measure the new found information against when I previously thought about the topic.  Of course this also depends on the nature of the topic.  Within my networks exist experts on various topics.  There may be times when I seek their knowledge before building my own knowledge.  Each situation calls for a different style of inquiry.

Module 3 Blog Responses

Responded to:

Brian Emsley http://emsleyeduc8845.blogspot.com/2013_10_01_archive.html

and

Rob Rector http://robrector.wordpress.com/

Technology and the Constructivist Theory (Mod. 3)

There is not one person on this planet that can dispute the rise of technology and its implications on all of society.  In the context of education, technology has the potential to change the teaching and learning process.  Used as a vehicle for the content knowledge, technology can enhance student learning through multiple means.  The use of technology accentuates the benefits of constructivist theory in the classroom.
Constructivist theory states that learning happens through experiences and the formation of knowledge based on students' prior knowledge of any given topic.  Social interaction is one of the main components of constructivists theory in that students gauge their understanding against the understandings of their peers.  This is where technology enhances the qualities of the constructivist theory.

Communication was once defined and limited to a certain time frame and a certain distance.  Letters on horse back progressed to telegrams across vast distances, to phone lines across the world to face-to-face video chats.  Today communication is limitless and knows no borders or time zones.  New technologies such as Facetime and Skype allow for face-to-face collaboration in real time.  To the constructivist this is invaluable.  Even a simple computer chat gives students the ability to collaborate in real time.

Another constructivist principle is the fact that students should be self-directed learners.  Technology facilitates collaboration and self-directed learning by providing students with the opportunity to analyze and synthesize information.  There is a wealth of information at the finger tips of all students because technology has progressed at such a rapid pace.  Because of this, students need the skills to discern the validity of information and evaluate that information against their prior knowledge.  As mentioned previously, learners then discuss these evaluations with their peers to form knowledge.

Finally, technology affords students the ability to become producers of information.  This is a stark contrast to students who simply consume information.  Constructivist theory contends that students be active learners and are more than blank slates waiting to be filled with information.  Instead, technology allows students to synthesize information and produce their findings in a way that others can view and respond.