Responses

I have responded to the following blogs
http://toneyt.blogspot.com/
http://learningtheoryedtechrwright.blogspot.com/

Module 5 New Technologies

When working with some at-risk high school students, I introduced an online credit recovery program. We (both students and I) were excited to try this program as a way to get the necessary credits for school. The results were not what I had hoped for. The program was tedious, boring and ultimately ineffective as the students had difficulties in completing the required units to earn credit.

The students became uninterested and resistant to even logging on to the program. Frustration and boredom were the dominate attitudes of the students. This led to the learners being easily distracted and distracting to each other.

Applying Keller’s ARCS model (2005) I would create my own online assignments through wikis, blogs, course management systems, discussion boards, and chat rooms that are more relevant, positive, and engaging. A premade series of lessons do not necessarily consider the student as an individual and the assignments can be limiting, lacking in attention requisition, and undermine confidence which contradicts the ARCS model.

To the right is a table (Driscoll, M. 2005. P.339) that presents an overview of Keller’s ARCS model that is designed for the utmost of student motivation.

Responses to Blogs

I have responded to the following blogs.
http://toneyt.blogspot.com/
http://edtechblogwaldenu.blogspot.com/

Module 4 Connectivism

The network I use has changed my learning as it is more instantaneous. I can access resources, research and other information much faster and easier using this network. Through tools such as e-mail, cell phones, and the Internet, I can access more data when questions arise and I can create knowledge after processing this information.

The ease of information access has allowed me to delve deeper into questions and problems as I can freely explore the digital world and experience multiple perspectives and views on the issues I research. I can obtain more complete information by exploring multiple site and research data bases.

I have visited and posted to the following blog sites:
http://toneyt.blogspot.com

http://edutechtalk.blogspot.com

Module 3

Howard Rhiengold’s belief that it is human nature to collaborate and work in a group seems broad and too generalized. In many cultures the group needs each other to survive and without collaboration essential needs may not be met. However, to state that it is human nature I would have to disagree. In today’s western culture collaboration seems to be a somewhat foreign concept. “Looking out for number one” and the emphasis on independence and individualization do not breed a collaborative nature. In educational environments, processes and guides have been developed by theorists and instructors to get the desired results through collaboration (Chinn, & Chinn 2010). This illustrates that successful collaboration will not come naturally.

Having said that, I believe collaboration is important to the realm of education. Learners need the opportunity to develop collaborative social skills (Chinn, & Chinn, 2010). Instructors face the challenge of teaching students how to collaborate and work together while battling the basic ideas that in is all about the individual and not the group.

Technology can be a great tool in the collaborative process. Such media as blogging, discussion boards, and social networks learners can create ongoing learning experiences through peer interaction. Collaborative learning can be justified through constructivist principles of active learning and the creation of new knowledge by engaging in rich contexts (Smith, & MacGregor .1992). Accessing technology to create rich interactions and extended learning beyond traditional classroom settings can empower and engage learners to develop strong collaborative skills and address student diversity and the social aspects of learning. (Smith, & MacGregor. 1992)

References:

Chinn, C., &Chinn, L. Collaborative learning (2010). Retrieved from http://www.education.com/reference/article/collaborative-learning/

Smith, B. & MacGregor, J. (1992). What is collaborative learning? Retrieved from http://learningcommons.evergreen.edu/pdf/collab.pdf

I have responded to Kimberly Dean's blog as well as Roxanne Wright's.