Connectivism - EDUC 8845 Module 4

According to Kop and Hill (2008), the starting point for learning occurs when knowledge is actuated through the process of a learner connecting to and feeding information into a learning community. My network has changed the way I learn tremendously. It has taken me from the level of acquiring information to the level of effective application of the information to diverse situations. To buttress my new way of learning, I tried to use Spinscape for my mind mapping, along the line, I could not embed the whole map into my document. Rather than losing hope, I quickly used Smart Graphics in Microsoft word to achieve the same concept. It is all about connectivism, ability of learners through intellect to be acquainted to complex topics and begin to draw connections between various concepts.

The advent of newer technologies for information and communication has transformed the world into a global village. My first experience with online learning started eight years ago, when I took the first professional development course on technology integration into classroom instruction. Predominantly, we were using email and chat. Today, the likes of Googledocs, Elluminate, and Skype have turned around learning. Connecting to the world through the Internet has brought education to my doorstep and opportunity to study abroad while seated in my room. I am actively involved in various learning communities, and the impact of knowledge acquired within the last few years is immeasurable.

Emergence of newer technologies would not make me state categorically that certain digital tools are the best. However, the use of Skype for calls, web and video chat, and discussion boards has helped to facilitate communication with my learning communities. I use Googledocs to collaborate and develop documents. I do a lot of email, and use text messages especially for those that do not have access to Internet facilities. At my workplace, a productivity program that is very useful is Microsoft One note, which enables one to bundle spreadsheet, word document, and presentations into just a package.

The enormous online resources are the backbone of my quest for knowledge. I regularly use search engines such as Google, Bing, and Yahoo to find information. I am always cautious of the fact that not all information is correct. Information must be from the right source especially when it relates to academics. If there is contradictory information, I seek the opinion of my learning community on the subject matter, as well as share my findings. It is about staying connected wherever you go.

Reference

Kop, R., & Hill, A. (2008). Connectivism: Learning theory of the future or vestige of the past? International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 9(3), 1–13. Retrieved from the Walden Library using the Education Research Complete database. 

Collaboration - EDUC 8845 Module 3

Effective communication emanates from constant interaction, and as such communication is a key issue in human development. It is through effective communication that collaboration would occur. Without human instinct to interact and work as a group, a community would not exist. In the past, source of livelihood was gathering enough food to survive. However, when human decided to bind together, they went for a bigger hunting spree that exceeds what a family can consume. The outcome was better livelihood within the community, which is as a result of collaboration. Rheingold in his discussion emphasized the essence of collaboration in the evolution of Wikipedia. Today, Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia based on the work of numerous collaborators.

The advent of technology has taken collaboration beyond an imaginable level. We now have a global learning network where people from diverse culture, background, and race come together to construct new knowledge. One of the principles of constructivist according to Jonassen is that knowledge is socially co-constructed by learners (collaboration) based on their interpretation of experiences in the world. In Lev Vygotsky’s view, acquisition of knowledge is through shared problem solving experiences with others (collaboration). In essence, problem-based learning (PBL) is paramount in a constructivist learning environment in which collaboration is a critical feature (Driscoll, 2005). Reflecting on Rheingold’s statement “what forms of wealth could be created if we knew a little bit more about cooperation”? I would like to relate the question to a work on problem solving. I am working on a document using Google docs with collaborators from different countries to solve a peculiar problem. The cooperation to produce a well-written document is amazing. Chang & Lee (2010) in their research on collaboration between subject and computer teachers to facilitate PBL in their classroom revealed that there was an increase in motivation to learn and students’ performance. In several organizations, those within the workforce that could use technologies to reshape how they work have experienced significant productivity gains. The basis of the job of knowledge workers is collaboration, which means they interact to solve problems, serve customers, engage with partners, and nurture new ideas (Manyika, Sprague, & Yee, 2009). This substantiates how technology facilitates collaboration to create wealth.

References

Chang, L., & Lee, G. C. (2010). A team-teaching model for practicing project based learning in high school: Collaboration between computer and subject teachers. Computer & Education. 55(3). 961-969. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Driscoll, M. P. (2005). Psychology of learning for instruction (3rd ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education.

Manyika, J., Sprague, K., & Yee, L. (2009). Using technology to improve workforce collaboration. Retrieved from http://whatmatters.mckinseydigital.com/internet/using-technology-to-improve-workforce-collaboration.

Rheingold, H. (2008, February). Howard Rheingold on collaboration [Video file]. Retrieved from

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/howard_rheingold_on_collaboration.html.

Module Responses

In module 6, posted comments to Candice and Margaret
http://crjoneswaldenu.blogspot.com/2011/08/educ-8845-2-module-six-teaching-and.html#comments  and http://msmneal.wordpress.com/2011/08/24/a-new-philosophy/#comment-6

In module 5, comments were posted to Joshua
http://shermanlearningtheoryandedtech.blogspot.com/2011/08/module-5-post-1-joshua-sherman.html?showComment=1312597231730#c2984488918646072242

In module 4, comments were posted to Joshua, Jeriann and Marion

http://shermanlearningtheoryandedtech.blogspot.com/2011/07/module-4-post-1-joshua-sherman.html?showComment=1311710362068#c1270498203540523130

http://marbush.blogspot.com/p/connectivism-mindmap.html?showComment=1311710683818

http://jeriannking.blogspot.com/2011/07/connections.html#comments

In module 3, posted comments to Jeriann and Sandra

http://jeriannking.blogspot.com/2011/07/module-3-constructivism.html?showComment=1310768070065#c4500409377435979267 and

http://sandracjohnson.wordpress.com/2011/07/12/collaboration/#comments

In module 2, responses were posted to Jacqueline Croteau on http://21stcenturycriticalthinkingskills.blogspot.com/2011/06/learning-theory.html#comments  and Marion Bush on http://marbush.blogspot.com/p/learning-theories-and-educational.html

In module 1, I posted response to Joshua Sherman  http://shermanlearningtheoryandedtech.blogspot.com/2011/06/module-1-post-1_12.html#comments  and Candice Jones on

http://crjoneswaldenu.blogspot.com/2011/06/module-one-blog-post-june-13-2011.html#comments.