How has my network changed the way I learn?
My entire primary/secondary and undergraduate degrees were earned in traditional classrooms. I never used a computer in my primary/secondary education and rarely used one for my undergraduate degree. Most of my learning was conducted through lectures with some hands-on and cooperative group learning. I remember that my third grade teacher liked to use cooperative learning. She was my favorite teacher. However, by the time I got to college I came to dislike cooperative group learning because of the disparity of contributed work. I did little research on the computer even though I worked in the library. The breath of research on the computer was through the college library computer resources. Almost all my research was conducted through printed books and journals.
For my last masters degree, I started to use the Internet more for research. I had several online classes, although the majority was still in a traditional classroom setting. There was more group work that I enjoyed because most everyone participated. However, most of the work could be done during class time, so we did not have to communicate through the computer much. The online classes were mainly entering a weekly chat session and completing work independently and submitting the assignments.
For this degree, I have relied entirely on the computer. The online library is a huge resource. Instead of real-time chats, we post discussions that allow us more flexibility on when we have to sit down at the computer. I feel this gives me more time to prepare what I want to say instead of trying to type a reply quickly so that my response appears before someone goes onto another topic. Also, especially in this class, I have learned how to use additional computer resources. Last class I had to learn how to create an iMovie and post it so the entire class could review it. This class, I have had to learn how to create a blog, an aggregate feed reader, and how to create, copy, and post a mind map.
Therefore I would say that my network has changed the way I learn from being in a teacher-directed classroom where I was very passive, to becoming a self-directed learner where the instructor is my guide and facilitator.
Which digital tools best facilitate learning for you?
The digital tools that best facilitate learning for me include using the Internet to conduct research through websites, journals, and blogs. I do this for personal learning as well as for classwork. I still highly depend on library resources and love the online library. I also like to read the posts from my classmates to learn different perspectives that they have on our readings each week. I am not much into social networks and I do not use them for learning.
How do you gain new knowledge when you have questions?
When I have questions, I gain new knowledge mostly through searches on the Internet. If I personally know someone with expertise in the area, I will go to that person or e-mail them. I also love to read books, and my local library is a big resource. I still am not sure if I will use blogs, unless they are peer edited. I do not trust many sources as people tend to be biased, myself included. Therefore, I tend to visit many sites, and if I find conflicting material, I turn to books and journals.
In what ways does your personal learning network support or refute the central tenets of connectivism?
My personal learning network supports the tenets of connectivism. According to Siemens (Davis, 2008), "connectivism is driven by the understanding that decisions are based on rapidly altering foundations. New information is continually being acquired and the ability to draw distinctions between important and unimportant information is vital. Also critical is the ability to recognize when new information alters the landscape based on decisions made yesterday." My learning today using my network of Internet, online classes/classmates, etc. is totally different from my learning in my early years when I depended on my teachers to guide my learning. I am the person who now determines what is vital and unimportant and my learning has broadened my environment and has changed many of my beliefs. Siemens also states (Video, date unknown), "Our knowledge literally is distributed across other networks of human beings, technological devices, and other ends. That's where connectivism starts to come into play. So that's the application of the technology to aid and to extend that dimension as well." Technology has opened up so many resources for people to pursue knowledge. As each year goes by, I learn new ways of using technology to supplement the knowledge I gain in my personal connections.
References:
Davis, C., Edmunds, E., & Kelly-Baterman, V. (2008). Connectivism. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved on 6 July 2010 from http://projects.coe.uga.edu//epltt/index.php?title=Connectivism.
Video. (Date unknown). "Connectivism." Laureate Education, Inc.
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