7105 Module 6 -Learning in a Digital World

You have had numerous educational experiences, both in an online and in a face-to-face learning environment. What impact do you believe technology has on the way you learn? In what ways do you learn differently in an online environment from the way you learned in a face-to-face learning environment? 

Reflecting on these questions, for your final Blog Post this quarter, write a 2-paragraph statement on your philosophy of learning. What do you believe is critical and non-negotiable in teaching and learning? Support your ideas using the learning and instructional theories you embrace as a part of your personal theory of learning.

 This maybe a little far fetched for some of you reading this, but let me explain why. I believe that an online learning environment allows a student to be more independent than a face-to-face classroom setting. I believe that face-to-face classes maybe some what of a crutch for some students, knowing that for 3 to five hours a week you have a physical being to guide you through your curriculum. Through my personal experiences, I feel as if I learn more in online classes than in face-to-face classes. It presents more of a search and see yourself or make the connections for yourself type of atmosphere.

In this day and age, I believe that it is critical for students to show a sense of independence in learning, which online learning does for them. This relates back to Siemen's theory of connectivism in the digital age. This is the digital age we are living in, and I believe we are doing our students a disservice if we are not using some type of digital tools or technology within our instruction. This should also apply to us, when we are in the place of our students.

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

7105 Module 5 - New Technologies

While it may be safe to assume that people have positive attitudes toward experimenting with new technologies in the workplace, it may be equally safe to assume that you will encounter people in the workplace who have low self-efficacy in experimenting with new technologies. Briefly describe a situation in which you have encouraged people to use a new technology and have been met with resistance or disappointing results. What attitudes did these people exhibit? What behaviors did they demonstrate? Using Keller’s ARCS model, describe how you could change the motivation of these people, or learners, to encourage success.

I am have experienced this first hand, and never thought that the teachers with such experience would have such a negative attitude. At the end of the 2012 school year, the district introduced a machine called Lucy. Lucy is a video camera that can capture 360 degrees images at one time. Lucy also has to microphones, one for the teacher and one for the students. Lucy is suppose to be used as a reflection tool by teachers, so that they may improve upon their teaching skills. I was the first teacher at my school to use it. It just so happen to be one of my assignments for a class that I was in at the time. But surprisingly, I received a lot of flack about using the device. Some of the more seasoned teachers made statements such as: "they just want to tape your students behaviors," "don't trust it, its a caught you tool," "they just want to use it to evaluate you." 
I just saw it as an opportunity to see what I was doing wrong, and finding a way to correct it.

Keller's ARCS Model stresses the problem-solving method, more specifically the students' motivation to learn. So I believe if I found out the teacher's motivation to teach, this could be used to convince the teachers to use this tool. Once the teachers see that this technological tool's use is for bettering the educational process of the students, they should inclined to use it.  

7105 Module 4- Connectivism Mindmap

One of the central concepts of connectivism is that people learn through the networks they construct to obtain knowledge. For your blog in this module, develop a mind map that shows your network connections. Think about how your networks provide you with information and support and how you access different people and technologies digitally. Each person in your learning community will organize his or her network differently using categories that fit an individual approach to accessing the computer to connect with others.

In your mind map, you might include your social networking sites, personal learning networks, Web 2.0 and Web 3.0 resources, virtual worlds, other digital tools, blogs, people, and so on. Please refer to the Tech Resources section to locate free software or websites to create your mind map. Once you have completed your mind map, convert it to a .jpg image and embed the image into your blog. It will be interesting to observe how others organize their networks. If you are unsure how to create .jpg files from a word document or mind map software such as FreeMind, please watch this brief demonstration.

After posting your mind map in your blog, write a reflection on how your connections facilitate learning.

• How has your network changed the way you learn?
• Which digital tools best facilitate learning for you?
• How do you learn new knowledge when you have questions?
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7105 Module 3- Rheingold's Video

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?

Yes, I believe that humans have a basic extinct to interact and communicate. However, unlike Rheingold, I believe that they learn to work in or as groups. As Rheingold mentioned in the video, human interaction and communication has been going on since before the alphabet was invented, so even without written words humans managed to work together in groups. Now, could you imagine having to rely only on oral conversations and your memory? No reminder emails or texts, no alarm clocks, bells, or whistles to alert you that it is time for something to happen.  The feeling to work with someone to gain a better outcome is not innately programmed in us, but it is learned by experiences. The experience that a task may become easier to accomplish if I have some help.

Module 2 7105 Cognitivism vs Behaviorism

Cognitivism as a Learning Theory

Conversations in blogs about cognitivism and learning theories in general are abundant. The two conversations linked below are examples of fascinating discussions in 2007 on cognitivism and behaviorism among three important thinkers: Bill Kerr, Stephen Downes, and Karl Kapp. While the discussions are several years old, the issues and questions they raise are still relevant today. Read these two blog posts, and then form a response to post in your own blog. Be sure to link to these posts in your blog and add tags for “learning theory” and “cognitivism,” along with any other topics you explore.

Kerr, B. (2007, January 1). _isms as filter, not blinker [Web log post]. Retrieved fromhttp://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 fromhttp://www.kaplaneduneering.com/kappnotes/index.php/2007/01/out-and-about-discussion-on-educational/


The three important thinkers: Bill Kerr, Stephen Downes, and Karl Kapp not only discussed their views on cognitivism and behaviorism, but also connectivism.  Out of all of their opinions, I tend to lean more to the side of Bill Kerr. He makes several valid points. One being that we all are behaviorists at some point, because we all tend to repeat behaviors in order to receive rewards. However, Stephen Downes disagrees with this along with Skinner.

Karl Kapp did make a valid point as a more ordinal approach. When starting at the lower end of the spectrum you have behaviorism, then connectivism, cognitivism, and constructivism. This is a stretch from lower level learning to creativity.