Blog post #6

The Networked Student

The presentation Wendy Dexler: The Networked Student shows how valuable networking is to the learning process through using a true story about the 21st century student. Wendy Dexler believes in connectivism which means that learning is done through a diverse network of many connections and ties. 21st Century Student is encouraged to engage in his own learning through a Personal Learning Network of PLN. Here he is taught to assess and evaluate information, to use Google scholar, to bookmark to his bookmarks site, shares other's bookmarks, searches blogs, use Google reader to subscribe to blogs, and creates his own blog. He also uses iTunes U to listen to lectures on his topic from excellent professors around the world such as Berkley. He also uses Skype to hold in class discussions with important scholars. In the end he creates his own virtual textbook and is available to other students around the world.

So why need a teacher? Teachers are the resources that students use if they need help. Teachers are learning architects. They help you build your PLN. Teachers are modelers which means they guide their students when they get stuck and need help. Teachers help to create a learning conciense. They do this by showing how to communicate properly and ask respectively for help from experts. They are a connected learner incubator which means that teachers help students differentiate from good information and propaganda. Teachers are network Sherpas and synthesizers. They turn web searches into scavenger hunts. Add all this together and you have a change agent. Teachers get their students excited when they find the "pearl of content".

Connectivism is a great learning technique to teach students to be responsible and engaging learners. However, I don't think that this method would be best for high school and middle school students. This method is great for the college level. The college level shows a greater level of thinking and responsibility. However, I believe this method is a great way to get students prepared for a higher level of learning. I believe that this method should be used not for the entire duration of the class but as a side project. Throughout the semester have students choose a topic relative to the class they are in. For example as a future history teacher, I would encourage my students to choose an interesting topic they want to learn more about such as the Holocaust. Help them establish their PLN and let them take the wheel from their. For high school students, the best way to help them to stay on track, is to create a check sheet and have them complete something every week like EDM 310.

I find this method of teaching very useful. I value independence and responsibility. It creates the best character within a person. Being self sufficient is the key to being successful. I believe that using this method in my future classroom will create self sufficient and 21st century learners. I believe this method of learning will stay with my future students throughout their lives and very will into their professional careers.

Personal Learning Environment

A seventh grade student from Wendy Dexler's science class shares her personal learning environment and shows how the entire class is taught through networking. This means that the class is completely paperless. In the video she shows us her daily routine and the freedom she has through her personal learning environment. In ways her personal learning environment is a lot like EDM 310's learning environment. Both express the need for creativity and responsibility. Both environments are given the freedom to work on things that need to be done when the students want to. Granted in EDM 310 we have deadlines, but the freedom is still there. Through these personal learning environments, students are given more responsibility and independence which is essential to their professional careers and social growth.