Learning in a Digital World

Technology has made a huge impact on the way I learn.  When I first received my Master’s Degree, I never thought I would be going back to college.  The drive alone was horrible.  I drove about an hour each day to the University of West Florida.  I left work around 3 o’clock and did not return home until about 10 o’clock at night.  After grading papers and homework I probably had about three to four hours of sleep.  Walden changed my whole perspective on going back to school.  A face-to-face class for me was dreadful.  I absolutely despised doing group projects or presenting in front of a classroom full of insensible adults.  I was nervous, my voice was trembling, and some of the group members were very rude.  Walden has improved the way I think and communicate with others.  The online collaboration alone has helped me to be a better speaker and successfully prepare for assignments with all the positive feedback I have received from colleagues.  My anxiety level has decreased and I love presenting group projects without the hassle of someone taking over the assignments.   I have total access to all the resources that I need in the comfort of my home. 

I believe that educators should have access to all the educational technology they need to teach 21^st century learners how to successfully prepare for the future.  Teachers should be allowed to have the proper training and tools to engage learners. Educational technology should be considered a requirement for K-12 and higher education.  Here is a portion of Saettler’s (2004) excellent definition of educational technology by the Association for Educational Communications and Technology: 
 

Educational technology is a complex, integrated process involving people, procedures, ideas, devices, and organizations, for analyzing problems, and devising, implementing, evaluating and managing solutions to those problems, involved in all aspects of human learning.  In educational technology, the solutions to problems take the form of all the Learning Resources that are designed and/or selected as Messages, People, Materials, Devices, Techniques, and Settings. 

                            

Saettler, P. (2004). The evolution of American educational technology.  Informaton Age Publishing Inc. Greenwich, Connecticut.

I responded to:

Petti Arthur     http://www.pettiarthur.blogspot.com

Charee Hampton         http://chareehampton.blogspot.com/

Module 5.2 New Technologies

A situation where I have tried to encourage people to use new technology that met with resistance results would be the introduction of our new Focus grade book.  “Focus School Software was incorporated in 2006.  The founder of Focus/SIS, Andrew Schmadeke felt that there was an opportunity in the marketplace to create a student management software that was more user-friendly and provided a better-rounded suite of solutions” (http://www.focus-sis.org/student-information-software).  I was given the job as Grade Book Administrator.  The challenge was for me to train all teachers how to use the software program.  I created a calendar for training grade level chairs to assist in training all other educators.   The problem was that all teachers were not affective participants in the trainings.  Most were doubtful and reluctant to use the program due to all the glitches at the beginning and some were due to lack of insufficient computer skills. 

I would change the motivation of these educators by using Keller’s ARCS model (as noted in Driscoll, 2005).  The ARCS focuses on the learner’s attention, relevance, confidence, and satisfaction.  With these conditions in mind, I would motivate the staff at my workplace by using incentives such as “goose passes” where teachers can earn extra leave time for attending the meetings.  Grade level teachers will also create small groups to demonstrate knowledge on the interactive SmartBoard after initial training to build confidence and satisfy the need for a more hands on experience.   

References:

http://www.focus-sis.org/student-information-software

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

I responded to:

Amanda Langston      www.langstoneducationaltechnology.blogspot.com

Petti Arthur      http://www.pettiarthur.blogspot.com

Module 4-Connectivism Mind Map

How has your network changed the way you learn?

     The network has changed the way I learn by allowing me to connect and interact with family, friends, instructors, and colleagues all over the world.  The network has further extended my knowledge and skills to readily available resources which is accessible at any time.  According to Siemens (2004) accurate and updated knowledge is the intent of all connectivist learning activities.  The network has made it possible for me to learn a new skill or program and transform that information by sharing/training that knowledge to other colleagues. 

 

•Which digital tools best facilitate learning for you?

   The digital tools that best facilitate my learning for educational purposes are:  blogs, wikis, podcasts, social networks, Walden Library, Youtube, TeacherTube, ProQuest, and chat rooms.  For work (First Grade Teacher) I enjoy using the SmartBoard, document cameras, projectors, iPads, laptops, LeapFrog, and other educational software purchased by the school.

•How do you learn new knowledge when you have questions?

   When I have questions, I usually use Google Search, e-mail instructors or classmates, text books, Google Books, or other guided materials. When I first started to pursue my college education, there were many questions to be asked about college algebra.  If I did not have the instructor, principal, and lead teacher to answer certain algebra questions, I would not have made it through college algebra.  Asking questions can open up the process of solving any equations. J

Reference:

Siemens, G. (2004). Connectivism: a learning theory for the digital age. Retrieved from: http://elearnspace.org/Articles/connectivism.htm

I responded to:

Christina Ransey   http://transeyeduc7105.blogspot.com/

Clarice Mims         http://cmedoc.blogspot.com

 

Module 3 Assignment-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?

My belief is that humans do have a basic instinct to interact and work as a group.  The students in my class have learned to create teams in discussions and debate where there is no absolute wrong answer but meaningful ideas and collaboration to create critical thinking skills as a group.  According to Palloff and Pratt (2005) “when working in small groups, teams, or even on the discussion board of an online course, the ability to create knowledge and meaning is enhanced”; “a systematic set of activities that build on each other and scaffold learning, collaborative projects, or complex activities that demand that students use multiple skills—all learning style or tapped”; and “Collaborative activity enables students to construct their own knowledge and apply prior experiences and their own culturally preferred ways of knowing to the task.”  We all have the ability to work as a group.  Some students may be more vocal and some may lack participation but in the end they all have something to say or add to the group.  Whether it’s a brief experience or your group chanting you on, your opinion does have a lasting effect on the group.  

  

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

Technology can facilitate collaboration among learners based on constructivist principals by enabling the learner to interact with peers around the world.  Social blogs, wikis, and online data bases are all ways of sharing information throughout the worldwide internet.  Palloff and Pratt (2007) stated that the use of technology “needs encouragement and support” and “provides the participant with a foundation for future learning experiences.” Technology facilitates collaboration in such a broad arena, that it helps learners to create inevitable experiences.  

•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 research studies and links are in support of collaboration as a tool for learning.  The links can be accessed through Walden’s Library.

Akpinar, Y., & Bal, V. (2006). Student tools supported by collaboratively authored tasks: the case of work learning unit. Journal of Interactive Learning Research, 17(2), 101-119. Retrieved from: http://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ726329&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Wang, S., & Hsua, H. (2008). Reflections on Using Blogs to Expand In-Class Discussion. Techtrends: Linking Research And Practice To Improve Learning, 52(3), 81-85. Retrieved from:  http://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ803601&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Reference:

Palloff, R. M., & Pratt, K. (2005). Collaborating online: learning together in community. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Palloff, R. M., Pratt, K., & Palloff, R. M. (2007). Building online learning communities: effective strategies for the virtual classroom. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

I responded to:

Charee Hampton   http://chareehampton.blogspot.com/

Christopher Cannon       http://www.chrisotphercannon.blogspot.com/

Module 2 Assignment

Being that there are many aspects of –isms, there are also vast views that anyone can accept and there are many views that one begs to differ.  As I read the blogs between Karl Kapp (http://www.kaplaneduneering.com/kappnotes/index.php/2007/01/out-and-about-discussion-on-educational/) and Bill Kerr (http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2007/01/isms-as-filter-not-blinker.html there are  different -isms that have diverse beliefs and many ways at looking at their theories which is entirely up to the individuals way of exploring that concept.  Kapp (2007) states that “The issue many forget is that “learning” is not one thing…it is a multi-layered word that tends to get treated as if it were just one thing…and it’s not. It is multi-facetted and that is why developing new models for “learning” is so difficult…there are too many levels for one school of thought or one model to do it all.” With this in mind one can articulate many possibilities from learning theories.  According to Boese (2011) “By relying on someone else’s theory, we shut out new possibilities. I will move forward looking at isms as possibilities, not rules, to discovery.”  Theorists have the right to argue ones theory but it is entirely up to the individual learner to accept and reuse their views.  From Skinner to today’s followers there will always be a deeper understanding as time moves forward where congnitivism and behaviorism is concerned. As I look at it, it makes one ask the question “What is the –ism to your understanding?”

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/

Boese, M. (2011, September 30).  Ism consideration over regulation: cognitivism and behaviorism.  Retrieved from http://mboese.blogspot.com/2011/09/ism-consideration-over-regulation.html

I responded to:

Regina Malz http://educationaltechnologyrm.blogspot.com

Amanda Langston  www.langstoneducationaltechnology.blogspot.com

      

Module 1 Assignment

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

How we learn is a method that baffles the mind.  The way I see learning is intriguing.  It is a read, study, recognition, repetition, and memory type concept.  My belief is that people learn best when there is a positive environment that provides sufficient educational tools that will support the methods of what is being learned.  Learning is the process by which we incorporate ideas and information into our memories (http://www.teach-nology.com/teachers/methods/theories/).

From a professional theory, according to Driscoll (2005), a learning theory “comprises a set of constructs linking observed changes in performance with what is thought to bring about those changes.” In other words, the purpose of learning theory in educational technology is identifying variables that are adaptable in any type of learning styles.  Instructors must have the acquired knowledge to teach these different styles of learning.  According to Knowles, et.al, (2005) here are some principles that are related to learners: 

1.  The learner’s ability

2.  Postnatal development

3.  Cultural advantages/disadvantages

4.  Anxiety levels

5.  The group atmosphere

I am quite sure there are much more to add to the principles above but with these in mind, all of them play an important role on the learner and instructor in educational technology.  Whether it is the learner or instructor, we must all realize that we all teach and learn in different ways. 

References

http://www.teach-nology.com/teachers/methods/theories/

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

Knowles, Malcolm S., Elwood F. Holton III, and Richard A. Swanson. 2005. The Adult Learner. Burlington, MA: Elsevier.

I have responded to...

Charee Hampton @ http://chareehampton.blogspot.com/

 

Ellen Prescott @ http://mathtechprescott.wordpress.com/

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Hello

Hello Everyone,
My name is Brigit McAroy and welcome to my blog.
Brigit