Blog Post 6

The Networked Student

The Networked Student by Wendy Drexler is a video about a teaching style truly for the 21st. century. Her video was inspired by the connectivism course called "CCK08". Connectivism is the belief that learning connects within a social network of different diversities. Conectivism connects teachers and students around the world. In this style of teaching, the teacher never lectures the class and there is no text book. In the video the student explored Google Scholar, created his own book marking site, and searched for opinionated blogs. After exploring, he proceeded to create his own blog to experience networking for himself. He also used other resources to learn. For example, he used iTunes to listen to podcast of lectures by professors all over the world. The student was able to learn so much more about his topic by using technology.

The video ask the question, why does a student of connectivism need a teacher? Without a teacher there to guide students, the networked student would not have any guidance. Think of the teacher as a the track that helps the train know where to go. The teacher teaches the students how to build their own network and take advantage of different learning opportunities. When a student gets stuck or comes across an inappropriate website, the teacher is there to help he/she get back on the right track. Teachers are also the role model for students and they show their students how to communicate properly and respectfully.

Connectivism is the perfect learning tool for an independent learner. Teaching your class like this will make them more prepared to face the real world alone. It gives them the tools to be independent, yet efficient in their learning. The society we live in today is web based in every aspect of life. It is important to me for my students to be prepared for the future, and to know how being connected through a network can benefit their academic career. Networking can truly make a difference in your career path. It can lead you to opportunities you never knew existed.

Personal Learning Environment

One of Wendy Drexler's 7th grade students made a video about her personal learning environment. The student was in Wendy's Science class which is paperless and all networked. In the video, the student explained her daily process of networking. Her daily process is a lot like our EDM310 class. Learning this way gives students more freedom to be creative and open minded. It also gives students a sense of responsibility because some days the teacher lets them decide what they need to work on. Students are becoming more and more independent through types of teaching styles like this and it will help them in the long run!