Sunday, October 14, 2012

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.

1 comment:

  1. Hey Meghan,

    I think you are exactly right about the teacher with a networked student. Teachers should guide them with their own learning and show students what is acceptable and what isn't.

    I saw one mistake in your post. In your post you said: " Things that may be challenging for some students." This isn't a complete sentence. A sentence should be able to stand along and make sense to the reader.

    Also, don't forget to add alt and title modifiers to every picture on your post.

    Stephen Akins

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