C4T Summary #2

In Mr. Dean Shareski's blog post on October 15, 2012 Random Thoughts From #Learning2 he discusses the Learning 2.012 Conference in Beijing, China. At this annual conference, educators from all over the world gather. They all have something in common. They are working to become connected educators. The format of the conference was one of hands on communication and activity. Shareski mentions that there were several "mini key-notes" who each spoke for five to ten minutes on various subjects. That sounds so much better than listening to one long, droning speech for an hour. The conference featured many international teachers, who are leading the way in connectivism. I liked that he mentioned those teachers who admitted to being out of there comfort zone with technology and how, through conversations at the conference were able to see the importance of becoming connected.


The conference was held at the Western Academy of Beijing. This school sounds amazing and I am jealous that I don't go there! Shareski describes the atrium area of the school as being a relaxing and peaceful learning environment. How could it not be with a river running through the middle of it? I would love to visit this school.
Shareski writes about the media used at the conference. The attendees were encouraged to share all the pictures they took at the conference via Instagram. They were able to view over 200 submitted photos by using a common hashtag, #learning2. They also had a professional photographer, but they were able to add this personal touch by using a sharing application like Instagram.

In my comment I said what a wonderful idea I think that was! I told him how I use Instagram almost every day and I am always linking photos I take from Instagram to my Twitter and Facebook. I have heard of this common hashtag method being used at events before and I think it is so smart. It is a great way to see what everyone in attendance experienced. Plus it is a ton of fun.

Blog Assignment #7

The Networked Student

Wendy Drexler's video The Networked Student explained the beauty of "connectivism." Connectivism is the technique that we use in EDM 310. In the video, Drexler explains that with connectivism, the tools are not as important as the connections made possible by them. Student learn to self teach through technology. Through the use of blogs, wikis, podcasts, Youtube and sharing media like Skype and Google reader, we are able to expand our learning far beyond what a text book could cover.

In this video, a high school student is given an assignment for his Psychology class that can be on any topic. His teacher rarely lectures and he has no textbook. He does all of his research through the internet and supplements his learning with blogs, sharing media, and podcasts which keep him connected to information sources he needs. This shocked me, until I realized that this is what our class does every week.

I think this type of learning is wonderful, but I do feel that it would be a challenge for middle school and high school students. This type of learning requires a lot of responsibility and initiative. Things that may be challenging for some students. However, if successful, this technique would keep students engaged. I feel that this would require more regular in class meetings during which the teacher could address any problems with the assignment or use of technology, and also help students learn to balance the work load. A class like this can become overwhelming fast so it is important that the students know that they are not totally on their own.

So does the Networked Student need a teacher? I believe so. Perhaps the older the student, the less they will need a teacher. I can see how implementing this approach in an elementary school setting would require much more involvement by the teacher. While I am sure that elementary students are fully capable of using today's technology and learning on their own through the internet, younger children will still need a teacher's guidance more than older children.

In the video Drexler explains that with this learning technique, teachers are necessary to show their students how to take advantage of networks, sources and, learning opportunities. They are to offer guidance when students are stuck and instruct students on how to communicate properly and ask for help from experts. It is also important that teachers get excited when their students succeed in finding the knowledge they need through their own research and hard work, and strive to arm students with knowledge they can take with them outside of the classroom. An advantage to this method, is that it will most definitely be more interesting for students than the standard text book and lecture standard. I believe that is why Networked Learning is becoming so successful.

Welcome To My PLE

I loved the video Welcome To My PLE! This 7th grader's personal learning environment was very impressive. Her use of Networked Learning is so wonderful and it makes me wish that I had learned more of this in high school! I will definitely be using her video as a guide in the future.

Project #8 Group Podcast