As we think about learning in an online world, determining the appropriate learning theory for teaching is an important step. A short video that helps walk us through the learning theories that we have already talked about in this course and the role of the instructor in each was created by Lewis and Schwer (2013). Take a look. Tammy
Lewis, J. & Schwer, M. (2013, 20 May). Learning Theory and online course design. [Video File] Retrieved https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VbdZFdrXeA
I have always been a visual learner and so I enjoy exercises like concept maps that really help me visualize connections. I believe looking at those connections on paper really makes the link between ourselves and the stimulus and resources for learning much more clear. For example, I do not, on a daily basis, interact with library resource personnel. While I work with databases on a daily basis, I would not consider the interaction between the additional resource staff members without seeing it on paper. I also really see more of the importance of the data that I use to make decisions when I see it in black and white. I do however recognize the importance of tools that I use to smooth and refine the learning (and in my case the teaching) process. Because those resources and platforms are a part of my daily life, I do not take them for granted. I could not work a day without digital tools in my life.
Richardson & Mancabelli (2011) addressed the importance of connections in their book “Personal learning networks; Using the power of connections to transform education”. This text is full of great discussion. One section that I particularly enjoyed was on collaborating, or “collective action” (Richardson & Mancabelli, 2011, p. 74). This concept really seems to strike the heart of what we are talking about in this assignment. Without collaboration through our networks, where would we be? Particularly for me, I have worked online for about 10 years and I would not have survived one of those years without collaboration with people and programs in my “network”. In my case, my connections facilitate learning first by getting me interested in new concepts and then by being resources for me as I struggle to get my feet under me so to speak with setting up a new system or platform of class or exercise, or by making that connection for me to gather data from. Needless to say, network connections are what we also use to move forward in online education or the online workforce. Even websites like “Virtual Vocations” help to make connections between potential staff and organization, which can lead to more connections and increased productivity and resources.
My network has facilitated both simple and complicated changes in the way I learn. First, I have already stated that I am a visual learner, and I must say the ability to see visuals in online education or the online workforce has certainly increased over the last decade. Even the use of dashboards is a change to how we work in a very visual way. Specifically related to my learning though, the tools have certainly changed. Today we have access to multiple online databases. The ability to attend an online college such as Walden is an example of how my network has changed the way I learn.
Digital tools that have facilitated learning for me include search engines, You-tube, Join me, Adobe, Skype, Blackboard and even the very blog we are writing. The world wide web itself is the ultimate example to me of a digital tool. The list is very long of digital tools, which I have used though I must say, I hope there are more to come. The most important online tool I feel I have at present is the online databases, which I can use both to draw data from for my own education and to draw data from for use in the classroom for my students.
The student with questions has never had it easier. As long as I have a network connection, I have answers at the tips of my fingers. I am not sure how we managed to work before there was a computer in every home. Certainly the ability to pull up data from a database or even Google or search You-tube aids today’s learner. I learn new information or clarify information I am unsure of by using research databases many times, google or other search engines at times, you-tube for when I need visuals and online texts when I need more indepth material. What a benefit we have in the internet! With tools such as Second Life, we can see much more on the horizon. At present, Second Life is used in many respects such as holding meetings in a way that allows interpretation for multiple languages. Weiner, McNew, Trangenstein, & Gordon (2010) describe its use in simulation for nursing students. Does it get better than that?! I am adding a few of my favorite networks. What a great exercise that shows us just how many people and places we interact with as we go about our day…and how pieces of those other people, ideas and places go with us to create new information…
Tammy
Richardson, W., & Mancabelli, R., (2011). Personal learning networks: Using the power of connections to transform education. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press.
Weiner, E., McNew, R., Trangenstein, P., & Gordon, J. (2010). Using the virtual reality world of Second Life to teach nursing faculty simulation management… MEDINFO 2010: Proceedings of the 13th World Congress on Medical Informatics, Part 1. Studies In Health Technology & Informatics, 160615-619.
Walkedthedog? 