Module 6 Comments

I responded to the following blog posts:


http://vaughnswalden.blogspot.com/
and

http://learningtheoryaanzaldua.blogspot.com/

Module 6

Module 6

After receiving my undergrad degree from a face-to-face university and my master’s degree (and soon my EdS) through a distance learning program I see advantages to both types of environments. I feel that when seeking higher education, a person must look at both learning environments to determine which is best for him/her. However, technology does not only impact the learning of a student in an online program. Technology has made learning “quicker” because the resources needed are in one place. When I took my undergrad classes, in order to do any type of research, I had to go to the university’s library and retrieve hard copies of any materials I needed. In my higher level programs, I have been able to spend more time focusing on the actual material because I am not spending as much time looking for it. Obviously, the fact that material found online is up to date is also an advantage.

I feel that in today’s digital society, teachers must always teach standards and the use of technology should enhance this. Teachers should always try to create a variety of tasks to meet the learning styles of their students. As teachers become the facilitator of the educational environment, they must expose students to technologies that can be used to communicate learning, then allow students to use these technologies for this purpose. This will ensure that students are gaining skills in the classroom that will benefit them beyond the classroom.

Module 5 Comments

I posted comments to Vaughn, http://vaughnswalden.blogspot.com/ and Elizabeth http://escroggs.blogspot.com/

Module 5

Lesson plan format is something that is often sacred to a teacher. My district offers lesson planning software through Infinite Campus; however, teachers are not required to use this. Most teachers at my school have created a lesson plan format in Microsoft Word or Publisher that works for the individual needs of their class. This is how I prepare my lessons. One teacher on my team has taught for 26 years and continues to hand write lesson plans in the traditional lesson plan book, which she purchases each year at the local teacher supply store. On several occasions I have shared my lesson plan format with her, and discussed the benefits I have found in creating lesson plans electronically. Although she says that she realizes the benefits of electronic lesson plans, she continues to hand write hers and says that this is how she has always done it, and that it works for her. One thing she does not like about using a program to create plans is the fact that you must have access to a computer to work on plans. She feels that she can have her plan book with her at any time and quickly make notes in her plan book without having to log on to a computer, open a program, make her notes, then save and close the program.

Driscoll (2005) explains the first step in Keller’s ARCS theory of motivation is to gain the “A” attention of the learner. I have already established this in this situation by showing the teacher advantages of creating electronic lesson plans. Keller’s “R” refers to relevance. This teacher does not see the relevance in changing from one lesson plan format to another. The “C” in Keller’s ARCS is where I feel this teacher is lacking: confidence. In order build confidence in this individual, I can offer to create lesson plans together. I can show her how I created the format to meet my schedule and the needs of my students and help her to create a format that will meet her specific needs. I can work with her over a course of several weeks until she feels confident creating electronic lesson plans. Finally, Keller’s “S” focuses on satisfaction. After the confidence has been built, I (and administration) can praise encourage her efforts while reiterating the benefits of creating lesson plans electronically.

Driscoll, M. P. (2005). Psychology of learning for instruction (3rd ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Module 4 comments

I have posted comments to the following module 4 blogs:
http://learningtheoryaanzaldua.blogspot.com/2011/10/module-4_23.html?showComment=1319582345020#c3925129707918332477

and

http://ena-spoonfulofsugar.blogspot.com/

Module 4

Module 4: Connectivism Mind Map

How has your network changed the way you learn?
Networking has changed the way I learn in both professional and personal situations. Previously, my professional learning was gained through lectures and reading textbooks and journals. These textbooks were often purchased through the university book store at a high cost and journals were retrieved by going to the university library. In today’s digitial society, Since receiving my BS degree in Early Childhood Education through a traditional university, I have received my MEd and am currently persuing my EdS degree through Walden University, an online degree program. During this time, I have gained knowledge through textbooks-downloaded online whenever possible and journals directly linked from Walden’s Library. A large degree of my learning has also come from collaboration with learning communities through networks such as blogs, wikis, and skype.

Personally, as a “want to be” photographer, I am a member of several photography forums where I can learn from other amateurs and professionals by viewing tutorials and reading updates. I also enjoy scrapbooking and often visit scrapbook forums to get new ideas for page layouts. In any situation, if I want to quickly learn how to do something, I search youtube.com for videos. Last week on youtube.com I learned how to make a paper airplane for my 8 and 4 year old sons.

Whether professionally or personally, networking has made learning new things as easy as the click of a button.

Which digital tools best facilitate learning for you?
I feel that the internet is the tool that best facilitates learning. In all of the situations I previously mentioned, the internet was the source of information. I use the Google search engine to research any question that I have. When using the internet, it is important to look for credible sources of information.

How do you learn new knowledge when you have questions? When I have questions, I often use Google search engines. If I have questions about a topic and am familiar with a discussion forum related to that topic, I will also use that as a source of information. When doing this, I can ask the question and others who are knowledgable in that area can post responses. After reading responses I am able to use all the knowledge gained to form my own opinion on the topic, choose the way of thinking that works best for me, or best aligns with my thoughts on the topic. Siemens (2006) refers to this as the process of acquiring and creating one’s own knowledge.


Siemens, G. (2006). Knowing Knowledge. Retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/courses/72030/CRS-WUEDUC8812-5701377/siemensknowingknowledge.pdf

Module 3 comments

I commented on the blogs of Vaughn http://vaughnswalden.blogspot.com/, and Elizabeth http://escroggs.blogspot.com/.