What does my PLE/PLN look like? How can I share it?
My personal learning network comprises of many individuals to whom I link through mostly Twitter and Pinterest. Recently I have expanded to Google+ and have enjoyed the little bit I have done with Google Hangouts. It has also recently expanded to include the members of #etmooc. Here is a visualization – work still in progress 🙂
How important is connected learning? Why?
Learning is inherently a connected process. People are not born knowing anything (gotta employ the “tabula rasa” concept from my old world history teacher days somewhere 😉 – they have to learn it from some source (teacher, book, newspaper, YouTube, Google). Behind that source is always another person or people (sometimes you have to search harder to find the person/people behind the content, but they are always there). Connections must be made to transfer learning – I tell it to you, I write it down so you can read it, I blog about it and people comment on it. So, in my view learning has always been and will always be connected. The difference in recent years has been the ease with which those connections can be made. So, it is important to tap in to those new sources for connections and expand our learning to keep pace with the world that changes very rapidly. Also, the typical model of connected learning usually involved only two people – the information holder and the information receiver. With our new networks that foster connectivity, we can expand our network of information holders beyond the “sage on the stage” and engage of in a more collaborative and two-way communication of learning. Without that, we are in danger of being left behind.
Is it possible for our classrooms and institutions to support this kind of learning? If so, how?
I think it is possible for this learning to be supported but it cannot be supported by the institutions and classrooms that belong to a different era. I’m sure that by this point we have all seen the wonderful TedTalk video by Ken Robinson on how Schools Kill Creativity. This sort of radical re-evaluation of our learning institutions is necessary before a more highly connected form of learning appears. What is unfortunate is that this requires the institution to readily accept what will be a demise of way of life. This sort of change doesn’t happen easily and usually only occurs when there are very few options left but to accept the change.
What skills and literacies are necessary for connected learning? How do we develop these?
In order for highly connected learning to occur, students need to be taught how to discern between valuable and deceptive information. They need to know how to take precautions in the digital environment to protect themselves and their learning. They need tools to show they are learning and growing. These are all developed by having candid and open conversations with students, not with ignoring the issue and closing the walls in on their options. Curriculum needs to include these skills and literacies and continually reinforce them throughout the K-12 learning path. This article is definitely some food for thought in this regard – https://www.edsurge.com/n/2013-01-28-why-edtech-is-not-radical-enough.
What are limits of openness in regards to privacy & vulnerability?
There must always be a careful balance between openness and privacy. It is wise beyond measure to teach students how to navigate the internet carefully and protect their information/identity. By ignoring this, we are endangering students and modeling poor behaviors.
Are we creating or worsening a digital divide?
Are we creating or worsening a digital divide?
Divides between generations are not new and will not go away. It is the nature of innovation and of humans in general that younger generations push the boundaries and expand upon the achievements of those who came before. Therefore, I think we are maintaining a divide that has always existed. Students will learn and transform regardless of what we do to hold them back. Therefore, it is best, although not natural, to embrace change and to promote a closing of this divide…but only for our own benefit, because students will progress regardless.
How do we expand this conversation?
The best way to expand this conversation is to include students! And parents! We discuss these philosophical divides within our own circles, not including those whom they most affect. This perpetuates a divide!
How do we expand this conversation?
The best way to expand this conversation is to include students! And parents! We discuss these philosophical divides within our own circles, not including those whom they most affect. This perpetuates a divide!