Connectivism

The mind map I have created has really assisted withthe way my connections facilitate learning. I really believe professional development, collaboration, social network and professional learning network plays a significant role in the way you learn and prepare yourself. Through the innovation of technology over last past years it has really change the way I prepare myself for learning new information. Technology has enhance the way I can research, facilitate, teach and learn. The internet has reduce the hassle of isolation with the assistant of social networking. This tool has allowed me the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues, plan meetings, share ideas and communicate accordingly. The benefits of using social networks consist of accessing information from numerous areas and give you the ability to communication with the appropriate personnel no matter what part the country you resides in. You may be able to contact instructors and classmates in chat rooms, discussion boards or by video conferencing. Another major benefit is that social networks enable people to learn over distances and have access to subjects that you may not have the option of doing in your area. There are multiple digital tools that really assist me with learning. If I had to chose a particular tool I would say search engines because all you have to do if you are researching a particular topic, type it in and you will be directed to numerous websites that provides such much information. You have to be very careful regarding the information you are inquiring because of its creditability. When  the question is asked, How do I learn new knowledge when I have questions I try to ensure I focus on learning in more than one way. Instead of listing to someone lecturing, I try to identify ways I can relate it to a visual idea. I'm a visual learner. I understand and have a better idea of the task at hand when the problem is planned and drawn out. Normally, I will find that information ring my bell when it is explained with the aid of a chart or picture.

Responded to the following colleague blogs:

Fred Davis -http://journalismandeducationgrist.blogspot.com/2012/01/connectivism_25.html?showComment=1327757431675#c8852809885267013113

David Davis-http://8845ltedtech.blogspot.com/2012/01/module-connectivism.html?showComment=1327758728016#c9199238019921027874

Mod three: Working as a Collaborative Group

Building a collaborative environment in the workplace isn't always easy. With so many different personalities, styles and ideas all vying for prominence, there's bound to be a little conflict now and then. Yes, I believe that humans have a basic instinct to interact and work as a group. But with a little extra effort and a bit of old-fashioned diplomacy we can do our part to make a collaboration work. Some of those ways are staying positive. Few things temper enthusiasm more quickly than negativity. If you really want to make a collaboration work, you'll need to do your part to create a positive, supportive, nurturing environment where optimism and good will abound. Listening is another way.  Don't assume you know what the other person plans to say. Rather than interrupting, allow the person to finish speaking before you reply. Make sure you understand what the person is actually saying; and if you aren't sure, ask questions to clarify. I believe one of the most important ways of building a collaborative team is ensuring that you recognize the other person's value. Appreciate each person's potential contribution to the collaboration. By acknowledging each individual's unique talent and what it offers the team, you'll find it easier to work together toward a common goal.

Reference:

Rheingold, H. (2008, February). Howard Rheingold on collaboration [Video file]. Retrieved from
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/howard_rheingold_on_collaboration.html

Beckman, M. "Collaborative Learning: Preparation for the Workplace and Democracy" College Teaching, 2007

I have posted to the following colleagues blogs:

Karen Wondergem

Temeka Shingles

Module Two: Cognitivism as a Learning Theory

After reading and reviewing the deliberations of Bill Kerr, Karl Kapp and Stephen Downs, they all have some interesting views of how learning theories plays a significant role how people learn. According to Bill Kerr's views there will be enormous promise and capability for all learners no matter what's their exceptionalities. Students learn in multiples ways. No one student learn the same, which leads to no one learning theory that will meet the needs of all learners. I believe that Bill Kerr's idea of how learning theories plays a vital role in structuring the ideas of theorists creating and expanding how we think and learn. After viewing Karl Kapp's statement he really stressed the importance of how collaboration plays a significant role in learning theories.

I agree that we can learn through cognitivism because it is a theory which attempts to answer how and why people learn by attributing the process to cognitive activity. Basically, the learner is viewed as an information processor . Cognitivism is recognized that much learning involves associations established through contiguity and repetition and  the importance of reinforcement, although it stress the role in providing feedback about the correctness of responses over its role as a motivator. However, even while accepting such behavioristic concepts, cognitive theorists view learning as involving the acquisition or reorganization of the cognitive structures through which humans process and store information.

References.

Kerr, B. (2007, January 1). _isms as filter, not blinker [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2007/01/isms-as-filter-not-blinker.html

Kapp, K. (2007, January 2). Out and about: Discussion on educational schools of thought [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://www.kaplaneduneering.com/kappnotes/index.php/2007/01/out-and-about-discussion-on-educational/

I have posted to comments to the following pages :

Belinda Van Norman
Debra Morris