Module 6 response

I responded to Joshua Davenport and Yahira Aviles for module 6.

Learning in a Digital World

Learning in a Digital World

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?

Technology is a very important component to education and leaning. I have experience both face-to-face and online learning. I prefer online learning because it provides me with more flexibility. I am able to be a full time worker and student when I am enrolled in an online learning environment. Face-to-face learning environment is more difficult to balance time management and work ethic. The Department of Education reported that “on average, students in online learning conditions performed better than those receiving face-to-face instruction” (Means, B., SRI International., & United States. ,2009).    

Some people love the face-to-face learning environment and some people prefer online learning environment. Both leaning environments are great but the best option depends on the individual. My personal opinion is that online learning environment is more manageable. “Online learning for students and for teachers is one of the fastest growing trends in educational uses of technology” (Means, B., SRI International., & United States. ,2009).    

 

 

 

Reference

Means, B., SRI International., & United States. (2009). Evaluation of evidence-based practices in online learning: A meta-analysis and review of online learning studies. Washington, D.C: U.S. Dept. of Education, Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development, Policy and Program Studies Service.

Module 5 response

I responded to Joshua Davenport and Lena Feinman blogs for module 5.

Module 5 Blog

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.

 

                During the last school year my school and the county received promethean boards to assist us with new technology. Most teachers at my school were much older and didn’t adapt to change very well. The promethean board provides an environment that will give students a chance to actively participate in the learning experience. Each teacher became very exciting once they were given the understanding on how the promethean board will improve students’ academic achievement. The disappointment result developed after each teacher didn’t receive a promethean board due to funds.

The attitude that most teacher developed was disappointment. The teacher that didn’t receive a promethean board felt their student received a disadvantage of exceeding more advanced achievement and learning experiences. After viewing the Keller’s ARCS model variability would change the motivation of my coworkers that didn’t receive promethean boards. “Variability is the combination of various methods in presenting materials” (Karen,2010). This motivation would help the teacher to divide the classroom into groups to share the promethean board.  

Karen Sanford. (2010). An Explanation of Keller’s ARCS Model of Motivational Design.

I responded to Sandie Rueger and Joshua Davenport for module 4 blog.

Module 4

 

 

How has your network changed the way you learn?

 

Technology has changed a lot and the advantages are at a high rate of speed. Technology provides many diverse tools that we can now use to learn new information. During the past, we had to depend on resources located at the library to research information. Encyclopedias offered a wealth of information. Today, we rarely have to leave our home or work place to do research. At the touch of our fingertips, we have a lot of information about diverse topics of interest. The Internet has changed the way we learn in so many different ways. We have more resources than could be imagined at our disposal. Socialization, research, advanced degrees, and communication in general have been changed in a positive way. Networking has made it easier for us to learn, and it has provided us with more to learn.

Which digital tools best facilitate learning for you?

The online tool that would best facilitate learning for me has been the distance learning courses that I’ve taken at Walden University. I have had a great experience at Walden University. I have learned to use a variety of digital tools that enhance my learning experience. For example, the instructional design at Walden allows us to use email, chat, Skype, Google documents, discussion forums, wikis, and blogs.

 

How do you learn new knowledge when you have questions?

 

The instructors are eager to communicate and to clarify any instructions that are not precise. I learn new knowledge through collaboration with my instructor, learning communities, and colleagues through various technological tools. The search engine Google is my favorite, and it provides me with many answers about various questions.

Module 3 Blog

Collaboration

Rheingold proposes the network structure developed by the Internet enhanced communication and sharing of different types of resources. Learners can receive instant feedback and immediate results through collaboration according to Rheingold, 2008. I strongly agree with his assessment. The speaker explains how the use of technology and the Internet have provided many opportunities for all students to be able to use collaboration in meaningful leaning experience.  

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?

Rheingold support the fact that humans succeed through collaborative effort and when they all work in concert. I tend to agree with this statement. The process and development of Open Universities and Open software resources support the fact that there is a consistent effort for people wanting to work in harmony. The constructivist approach to learning is facilitated by the internet because the theory focuses on making connections and making meaning in the learning process. Technology like internet links together individuals who want to share common goals and interest.  The internet also enables distance learning by connecting people separated by time and space. It helps to promotes peer learning by bringing learners together in the same space so that they can share their knowledge and insights, communicating with each other to help each other learn. Effective communications will help to support mixed cultures, varying learning styles, abilities, and socioeconomic status. If web-based courses are designed with a constructivist approach in mind, the learners will be encouraged through self-directed learning. I believe that Wikipedia is a great informative website that provides a vast amount of information, and it is a website that is not accepted by many as a credible site.

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

“Constructivist instruction emphasizes problem solving, critical thinking, reasoning, and evaluation” (Driscoll, 2005). Technologies such as skype, wikis, email, Google documents, and blogs are some of the technological tools that would facilitate collaboration based on constructivist principles. My second grade students love to use the promethean board and online game playing that is common core standard based. However, it is important that students receive proper training to learn how to use these tools effectively. New technology is advanced in this era; many students can be ready to use these tools to collaborate with other students in a common core standard based learning environment. “Pedagogical benefits of collaborative learning include the following: transformation learning, development of critical thinking skills, co-creation of knowledge and meaning, and reflection, and (Palloff & Pratt, 2005).

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.

I have discovered that “Creating Effective Collaborative Learning Groups in an Online Environment” is the topic of this current research conducted in 2009. The URL to this article is http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/675/1271. This article was from the observations of assessments that were positive due to the effectiveness of small collaborative learning groups in online classes or in an online learning environment. Collaboration has helped the sense of community, and knowledge.

 

References:

Bernhard, J. G. (1988). Primates in the classroom: An evolutionary perspective on children’s education. Amherst: The University of Massachusetts Press.

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

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

Rheingold, H. (2008, February). Howard Rehingold on collaboration. Vodcast posted to http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/howard_rheingold_on_collaboration.html