The Networked Student
In essence, this video uses the example of a student in the 21st century in high school studying American Psychology to show how connectivism can be a vital tool to maintain a learning network. The student's teacher does not lecture but uses the technique portrayed by connectivism, a theory that states that "learning occurs as part of a social network of many diverse connections and ties". It is a tool that can enable students to take control of learning.
The student in this video practices finding information using Google scholar and his school library database to search for scholarly peer reviewed articles. He uses a social bookmarking site, such as Delicious, to post his own searches and read what others have posted. He finds that he can subscribe to blogs to get updated information, while also make his own blog to post his own reflections on the summation of the new information he is finding. iTunes U can give him access to recorded lectures of some of the best professors, while Skype can give him a communication tool.
So, why does he need a teacher? The video outlines that a student needs a teacher to guide, teach how to communicate, teach how to seek information from experts, show how to differentiate between good and bad material, and teach how to organize information. In the end, the goal of the teacher is for the student to learn how to maintain his or her learning network and use these tools in the future. I agree with the teacher's role in connectivism. Firstly, there is now so much information available on the Internet that a student must be taught how to use this information. Secondly, a student needs to be taught how to use this information in a positive and profitable way for his or her own learning.
I think guiding students in using connectivism can empower them with tools with which they can solve about any problem. On the other hand, I feel that there is a downside to using connectivism for the purpose of learning a subject. Not all students are motivated and dedicated to take control of their learning. Not everyone has the thrive to use communication tools to accumulate information. This may be especially true in subject areas where a student may not have an interest at all. So, I do not see it as a means to facilitate learning in all students. In summary, I believe that there should be an intermix between connectivism and teacher instruction for the purposes of learning about a particular subject.
A Seventh Grader's Personal Learning Environment (PLE)
This video shows the tools a seventh grade student uses for her science class. It is amazing to see how much these tools have helped her in expanding her knowledge. The following is a comparison of her PLE and my PLN:
In essence, this video uses the example of a student in the 21st century in high school studying American Psychology to show how connectivism can be a vital tool to maintain a learning network. The student's teacher does not lecture but uses the technique portrayed by connectivism, a theory that states that "learning occurs as part of a social network of many diverse connections and ties". It is a tool that can enable students to take control of learning.
The student in this video practices finding information using Google scholar and his school library database to search for scholarly peer reviewed articles. He uses a social bookmarking site, such as Delicious, to post his own searches and read what others have posted. He finds that he can subscribe to blogs to get updated information, while also make his own blog to post his own reflections on the summation of the new information he is finding. iTunes U can give him access to recorded lectures of some of the best professors, while Skype can give him a communication tool.So, why does he need a teacher? The video outlines that a student needs a teacher to guide, teach how to communicate, teach how to seek information from experts, show how to differentiate between good and bad material, and teach how to organize information. In the end, the goal of the teacher is for the student to learn how to maintain his or her learning network and use these tools in the future. I agree with the teacher's role in connectivism. Firstly, there is now so much information available on the Internet that a student must be taught how to use this information. Secondly, a student needs to be taught how to use this information in a positive and profitable way for his or her own learning.
I think guiding students in using connectivism can empower them with tools with which they can solve about any problem. On the other hand, I feel that there is a downside to using connectivism for the purpose of learning a subject. Not all students are motivated and dedicated to take control of their learning. Not everyone has the thrive to use communication tools to accumulate information. This may be especially true in subject areas where a student may not have an interest at all. So, I do not see it as a means to facilitate learning in all students. In summary, I believe that there should be an intermix between connectivism and teacher instruction for the purposes of learning about a particular subject.
A Seventh Grader's Personal Learning Environment (PLE)
This video shows the tools a seventh grade student uses for her science class. It is amazing to see how much these tools have helped her in expanding her knowledge. The following is a comparison of her PLE and my PLN:
- Her PLE: Google Docs, Delicious, Blogger, Evernote, Glogster, Skype, YouTube, and Facebook
- My PLN: Google Drive (Docs, Presentation, and Spreadsheet), Blogger, Skype, Twitter, YouTube Google+, Timetoast, and Google Calendar
Hey Khushbu,
ReplyDeleteGreat summary of the networked student as well as the role that educators will play in a classroom using connectivism. All pertinent information was covered in a professional and academic tone. The only thing I can think to mention was a small syntactic point in the post, "which they can solve about any problem". Maybe re-wording it to more clearly state your point?
Also, great job on the links to videos and pictures.
Thanks,
Jessie Holder
How can an educator address problems of motivation? In a traditional classroom or a connectivist class?
ReplyDeleteA PLN is primarily a group of people, but also tools, that expand your sources of information, provide you with ideas, challenge your thinking, get you to explore new possibilities. The more people you have in your PLN, and the more diverse their backgrounds and interests, the more you will benefit. You need more people! Use Twitter to find them!
Thoughtful. Interesting.