Being a learner today is like trying to follow the latest fashion trends. To be effective you have to constantly change out the old wardrobe and monitor what the new trends are to replace the new wardrobe with the appropriate items. The items represent the types of learning media (social networks, new technology etc) and the wardrobe represents the collective methods of learning. Learners today can gain knowledge through multiple technology sources that enable you to connect your thoughts with others online. This differs from the collective methods which include lecture by an educator and/or textbooks. Technology is changing how the young and old learn new information.
After reading George Siemens article on Connectivism and viewing his audio on The Impact of Social Media on Learning it supports my analogy of a learner today. George Siemens states that new information is continually being acquired and it is important for the learner to make distinctions between important and unimportant information (Siemens, 2005). As for my analogy, the fashion follower needs to be continually searching for the latest trends using the most current avenue. This avenue would be using social networks (blogging, facebook, myspace etc...) instead of relying on magazines or television broadcasts. The fashion follower will have to use his/her own judgement and make appropriate decisions by weeding through the information given. In Siemens audio on youtube, he states that social networking is extremely reliant with the connections you make with others and that through social means we are able to share and connect with each other (Siemens). Learners today are not just learning internally, they have the ability to connect their thoughts and ideas with others around the world as a new way to obtain the most current information possible. Living in the digital age brings many opportunities, learners just have to know how to use them correctly.
WATCH THE VIDEO - http://youtube.com/watch?v=grl_h88vs3g&feature=PlayList&p=3E43054A8703F57A&index=4
References:
Siemens, G. (2005,January). Conntectivism: A learning theory for the digital age. International Journal of Instructional Technology and Distance Learning, Retrieved September 17,2009 from http://www.itdl.org/journal/jan_05/article01/htm.
Danielle, I really like your analogy of between fashion trends and the progression of learning trends. I think that an active learner is someone who is continuously searching for knowledge....as in the latest viewpoints regarding any given area of education. I think your thinking is creative and very relatable too! Nice thinkin :)
ReplyDeleteIt's like Project Runway! I agree with Amy. For some, these trends are hard to figure out at times. But, like Project Runway, I appreciate and respect those who drive these trends. I'm fascinated with the intensity of creativity on the web.
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