Connectivism and Social Learning in Practice
VOICE THREAD URL:
Lynda's voicethread:
http://voicethread.com/share/569707/
This week Chapter 7 in our textbook focused on cooperative learning activities. Collaborative group work such as this requests students to work together in order to absorb new information and problem-solve and will important skills for them to obtain in our growing global society. In fact, Thomas Friedman also recognizes this in The World Is Flat (2005) by stating:
“We are living in a time when learning and innovation are increasingly global. To be prepared for the fast-paced, virtual workplace that they will inherit, today’s students need to be able to learn and produce cooperatively.”(Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007, p.139)
Advances in technology have not only changed the way we interact in society and the workplace, but has also caused us to transform the structure of our classrooms tailoring more towards a student-centered approach. Where learning in the past was based on a more teacher-centered and assessed on an individual basis, today we find it to be geared more towards the students needs and more social by implementing cooperative learning methods of instruction. Technology and Connectivism also allow students expand our social learning with their ability to disburse and share information all over the globe. Connectivism is a process where knowledge is formed by networking and navigating networks of knowledge (Siemans, 2009). Many cooperative learning tools, which compliment social learning theories such as multimedia projects, web resources, and communication software provide our students with a very unique way of obtaining knowledge through these social networking tools. In this way learning no longer just the individual learner that needs to be considered but a far more complex network of learners within the virtual environment (SIemans, 2009).
On a daily basis our students use many of these multimedia tools, web resources such as WebQuests where students work in a certain area of study to form a solution, and communication software such as wiki spaces which has grown in popularity where collaboratively students are able to post and add information.” (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007). The 21st century learners are exposed an overwhelming amount of information at one time. Seimans notes this is where the importance of networks come in where students develop “learning communities to share their ideas with others, thereby “cross pollinating” the learning environment (Seimans, 2005, para.21).
As a result, social learning theories compliment the efforts of Connectivism because this resource allows others to connect and share ideas outside of the classroom, which expands the learning process. It also provides a social network where many views are expressed between a variety of cultures. I believe as Walden students we can also relate to the powerful impact this has as students ourselves. I personally have witnessed through discussions and blogs this particular “cross pollinating” in learning through my fellow colleagues. It therefore becomes apparent just how powerful connecting socially with these technology tools is to our students learning as well to prepare them for the global world.
Orey, M. (Ed.). (2001). Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
Orey, M., & Casselman, K. (2009, March). Bridging Learning Theory, Instruction, and
Technology. “Social Learning Theory”. (Laureate, CD-ROM, 2009 release).
Siemans, G. (2009, March). Bridging Learning Theory, Instruction, and Technology. “Connectivism as a Learning Theory”. (Laureate, CD-ROM, 2009 release).
Hi Lynda,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post very much. You are right that technology makes learning far easier than it used to be. In the past, teaching and learning happens mainly in school and in the classrooms. Whereas nowadays it happens everywhere with the touch of technology, we get out of our country, with no geographical restriction, we can literally travel around the world (virtually) at the click of our finger. This has a significant implication to education and to our future teaching and learning.
Our students are definitely different from us in many ways, for one, they are born into this techno-world. Two they'll be working in work places that require them to be technology-literate. We as educators of this century surely have to prepare them for the future challenge ahead!
Great post! Thanks for sharing!
Sarah
Lynda,
ReplyDeleteI believe that the best thing about the social learning theory is its use fosters a student centered classroom. Orey talks about students needing a more knowledeable other. Lots of time a MKO can be a peer. How great is that? We have all the resources we need and they are right in our classroom!
Great post!
Winner
Lynda,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you in that technology has changed the way we do things now. The classroom is more student centered and student led than it use to be. I think not only does it make things easier for the students, but it also in a way makes things easier for the teacher. We are able to concentrate more on the students and the different ways they learn more so than we would have to on the lesson itself. I also liked your point in that connectivism allows for learning to continue outside of the classroom as well which enriches the students learning as a whole.
Tanika
Tanika and Lynda,
ReplyDeleteThe most wonderful thing about have a more student-centered classroom is that it keeps students engaged-wanting to learn more! Like you said, they can take what they have learned and build on it outside the classroom. I think in general, it makes learning so much more fun! I like it from a teacher's standpoint because it allow us to focus more on the individual learning styles and needs of students.
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteOur students who were born in this Techno-world have grown accustom to learning through social networking rather that through lecturing. This is why it is so important we provide them with many more opportunities to do so. In many ways they are far more technologically literate than we are because of this. Nevertheless, it is still important we have the ability to prepare them to use many of the new tools like Voice Threads which will most definitely be an important source of communicating when they enter the workforce.
Thanks,
Lynda
Rob,
ReplyDeleteI agree. Our students are definitely a powerful resource within our classrooms which most often is overlooked. They have the ability through Social Learning to be the Most Knowledgeable Other. This includes using technology and other skills in the classroom. Many times especially during cooperative learning activities in science class we observe peers "teaching" other students in the group how or why something occurred during a lab exercise. Wouldn't this be useful with all of their courses.
Thanks,
Lynda
Tanika,
ReplyDeleteThank you. I also found your point about being able to focus more on our student in student-centered classrooms very true. Student assessment does not only have to depend on test taking skills alone. We can learn far more about our students ability by observing the way in which they process information and carry out tasks. Cooperative learning groups create atmospheres where students are more willing to share their thoughts in small groups than a class of 30 and give teachers the opportunity to access more one to one assistance. Would you agree?
Thanks,
Lynda
Rebekah,
ReplyDeleteI would think everyone would agree that we are more engaged in activities that require us to perform tasks that physically engage us in the activity. Lecturing is an old and boring form of instruction. Furthermore, lectures are only good for relaying information on to our students and it is apparent that they cannot relate to this method especially when they have been exposed to far more sophisticated ways of communicating with others through social networking programs. And like you stated being involved makes learning more fun!
Thanks,
Lynda
Lynda,
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that students are more apt to respond more in a small group setting than they would in a whole group. Small groups allow for those extremely shy students to voice their opinions and finally be heard without the fear of the entire class hearing them. It's a lot easier to talk to 2 or 3 people versus 18+.
Also, I loved the picture on your VoiceThread that said, "There aren't any icons to click. It's a chalkboard." This gave me a little laugh, because it's such a true look into today's classroom. Students are so far advanced technologically speaking now, that when faced with the basics they sometimes seemed to be a bit confused. They like the more hands-on approaches of today. Good job on your VoiceThread!
Tanika
Tanika,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. I enjoyed your Voice Thread as well. I hope you were able to access the video clip I included. It was really wonderful how Michigan City High School transformed their instruction to a more collaborative student-centered approach. I believe the video gives a clear representation of how the classroom should look across the curriculum not just in a select few classes.
Thanks again,
Lynda