Thursday, August 22, 2013

Learning in the Digital World


Learning in the Digital World

What impact do you believe technology has on the way you learn?

Technology itself gives us nothing.  The proper use of technology in the learning environment gives us an opportunity to learn ubiquitously.  Learning isn’t focused on or in a particular area, but is transformed into an oasis that provides opportunities for students to learn at their own past and select what they need from the learning environment based on their knowledge and experiences.  The world is in the classroom and the classroom has access to the wealth of world knowledge through the use of the global collaborations, libraries, and the use of the world wide network.

In what ways do you learning differently in an online environment from the way you learn in a face to face learning environment?

Online environments allows for access to a broader field of knowledge.  Data can be gathered on line from the world wide network.  This type environment gives students the opportunity to pick and choose what the need to enhance their learning experiences.  Face to face environments that rely on the knowledge and skill set of the educator in the classroom.  It has a limited perspective.

My Philosophy on Learning:

Learning is going from unknown to known in which a definable change in behavior occurs (Siemens, 2004).  People have different experiences that they bring to the learning environment and should not be expected to learn in the same manor.  The role of educators in learning is to guide students to achieve the required academic outcomes by helping them connect the dots that are defined in their learning objectives.

What do you believe is critical and non-negotiable in teaching and learning?

As scholar practitioners, we learn the importance of theory, peer reviews, and constant tweaking of our research skills.  The critical and non-negotiable aspects of teaching and learning mandate that we continue the journeys of pushing our science to the next level.  Teaching and learning are as infinite as our imaginations.  The evolution of society requires us to face new challenges that may be unforeseen, just as technology was one hundred years ago.  As we move forward in teaching and learning, we have to take into account the theoretical journeys that brought us to where we are today.


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

Thursday, August 8, 2013

New Technology


I work in an organization that provides federal training to individuals.  For years we’ve used textbooks that require constant updating.  Last year, I conducted a project that gave our students an opportunity to have all of the text materials on an Apple iPad, saving the organization over two hundred thousand dollars per class.  We conduct both basic and advance courses. The students in our basic course were much more acceptant and use the new technology more readily than the students in the advance courses.  Although both embraced the idea, the students in the advance classes insisted on having the paper textbooks in addition to the Apple iPad and stated they felt more comfortable.  I thought it was a generational issue at first, and decided to provide additional training to the students in the advance classes, which are mostly older adult students.  The motivating factors I used to promote the use of technology in my organization was to provide additional training while promoting the ease of use.  I kept the technology as simple as possible and spoke in simple terms during training while listening and providing the needs of the students to help dispel their fears on use.    

Monday, July 29, 2013

Connectivism

                                                          










How has your network changed the way you learn?
The organization I work in has used the traditional pedagogical teaching model for years. The technological age we live in today gives students access to much more information than ever before.  That being said, students have taken a much more active role in their learning.  Student group networks and access to the worldwide web gives us, the students and educators opportunities to teach and learn in ways as never before.

Which digital tools best facilitate learning for you?
I know we may be late arrivals, but I think wireless access to student and instructor materials have made a tremendous difference in our budget.  The monies we save by developing iBook gives us additional opportunities to use other learning tools.

How do you learn new knowledge when you have questions?
I believe the key to learning new knowledge when you have questions is relevance and knowing who to ask in order to find knowledge.



Students I posted to:  
lrsgturn.blogspot.com
castanosblogs.blogspot.com









































Saturday, June 29, 2013

Cognitivism as a Learning Theory



In 2007 Bill Kerr stated in his blog that, “theories are used to justify change.”  I would like to pose a question: If theory justifies change, what does change justify?  A core element of change is to transform.  Change justifies the need for a society to transform.  This transformation continues as an evolution of society.  The introduction of technology serves as a perfect example.  Technology not only enhances the learning environment, but as one of my professors put it, “technology also expands our cognitive capabilities,”  that cognitive capability and expansion of thought is what promotes the possibilities of change in society which can again be justified by theory. Is theory a law of cognition, proof of concept, or an idea of practice?  The hypotheses, which I call the adolescent stages of theory, are derived from cognitive assumptions that mature into becoming reinforced through practices of behavior in our society, which is a conglomerate of behaviors. 
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

I commented on the below listed blogs:

http://eductech13.blogspot.com