Pre-Internet, my networks were my colleagues at
school, students, family, and friends.
Since the Internet, my network of influence has vastly expanded and
information that I need and do not need is at the click of my mouse hurtling
towards me at high speeds. These
connections have affected the way I learn.
I would not have even considered continuing my education if it was not
for the convenience of online learning. Continuing
my education has added more to my load, but my networks have helped make
learning easier. From quick and easy
recipes to help me keep my family healthy and fit to sharing notes online with
the Christian community to keeping in touch with my friends and family in the Caribbean , my connections have helped bring some
organization to my busy life. Instead of
driving to the library to look for information and books that may or may not be
available, I can now access information via contacts on Delicious, via blogs,
the wikis of my colleagues and colleagues of my colleagues, Walden’s online
library, Google Scholar… the resources are endless.
Siemens (2006) explained that, “The act of learning… is one
of creating an external network of nodes” (p. 29). Since I have been a student in the arena of
educational technology, I have learned best by communicating with my instructor
and cohorts on discussion posts, blogs, wikis, and Google Docs, and Skype. Any technology which allows me to engage in
discourse and exchange ideas, tips, tools, and techniques that enhance my
pedagogy is valuable to me. These
digital tools have enabled me to manage soft knowledge (Siemens, 2006). When I have questions, I typically ‘google’
the information and spend time scouring the Internet for valid sources of
information. “Technology is providing
new affordances for individuals to become involved in publishing, knowledge,
exchange, and to access experts” (Siemens 2006, p. 19). It is key that we be able to access true
experts, and be aware, especially in open source environments, that the
information and the source is valid and reliable.
Vida Martin
Reference
Siemens, G.
(2006). Knowing knowledge. Retrieved
from http://www.Lulu.com
Hi Vida,
ReplyDeleteI truly enjoyed reading your blog. I do agree that in an effort to ascquire this degree is a great sacrigice for us all. However with all the knowledge we have gained through our instructors, colleagues, and learning communities is very valuable and will continue to enhance our profession. I do enjoy being able to gained knew knowledge at the click of a mouse.
Module 4 Response From Tawana:
ReplyDeleteGreetings Vida! Wow! I am really impressed with all the resources you included in your graphic organizer. I haven't ever even heard of many of them. Are there any particular teacher-related ones that are your favorites? In accordance with one of your opening statements, I too, may not have pursued furhtering my education if online learning was not available. It is so interesting that you mentioned that because I was initially reluctant to partake in distance learning since I wasn't sure if I was really going to recieve a quality educational experience. But, as you stated, technology truly has changed the way we learn. And because of that, I have been able to relish in the benefits of a technology-based distance learning program. Great post!
Vida-
ReplyDeleteThat is quite a collection of resources. I will have to check out a few of them, like studentsoftheworld.info, to pass along to some of my teachers! Again, another example of networks building off known information and resources to create a new node. I got a chuckle out of the part of your post about "information that I need and do not need is at the click of my mouse hurtling towards me at high speeds." The art of learning today involves knowing what is pertinent and needs to be grabbed out of the stream of information passing us by at such high speeds.
Thanks for all the interesting resources!
I see that you have a large number of resources that you work within. Some of the professional resources that you have listed are ones that I have worked with during the attainment of my Masters and also while doing coursework for my EdS. There are also many that I had not worked with and will look into to see how I can possibly use in the future. Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDelete