What impact do you believe technology has on the way you learn?
Technology has had a dramatic impact on how I learn because I constantly conduct various “Google” searches for ideas to use in my classroom to support learning activities. I search for ideas on how to enhance my skills and to keep up with the latest technology. I also like to “Google” for opinions on the latest learning and teaching strategies.
I learn differently in an online environment from the way I learned in a face-to-face learning environment.
In a face-to-face situation, my learning is directed by the teacher in charge. I listen to lectures, discuss handouts, and watch videos that are introduced by, and in most cased interpreted by the instructor. In a face-to-face- learning environment fellow students will ask questions and make comments which could or could not relate to the subject matter being discussed. In some cases the answer to the questions could be one that would provide additional clarification. I make friends and discuss the class, assignments as well as family and friends with classmates. I can read the body language and facial expression and interact face to face with everyone in the class.
In an online environment, I am an independent learner. I spend a great deal of time on line conducting research and completing assignments. Since I have no one at work or in my social life that I can discuss my classes, professors, or program of study with, it can get lonely. If the assignment is involved and not clearly spelled out, I have to email a question to the professor or a classmate and wait for a response. This question could be late at night or early morning as I tend to complete a lot of online work when it is quiet in my household. Sometimes I need an immediate answer.
High expectations of all teachers and learners are critical and non-negotiable in teaching and learning. You have to have a passion and a desire to make students better and to push them and to make them better citizens I believe in hands on learning. Tell a student, show a student and let a student demonstrate desired learning. A learning theory is made up of a set of concepts theorists linking observed changes in performance with what is thought to bring about those changes (Driscoll, 2005). To build a learning theory requires, three basic components must be defined, according to Driscoll. The components are the results or changes in performance, the means or the process used to bring the result about and the inputs or the triggers that caused the process to occur. I also believe that learning requires interaction between people, encompassing many different perspectives, with each learner representing their viewpoints sincerely, and a mechanism that enables learners to collaborate. Connectivism describes learning as a “network forming process” (Siemens, 2006).
Con
RogerMae, I also believe that I learn more in the online environment. I felt like students in the face to face classes would ask the instructors so many questions when preparing for tests, that we did not need to study. Although the research says there is no difference, I have felt more of a challenge in the online environment. It has caused me to dig deeper and as far as application, I had to reflect more as I considered synthesizing of an assignment. It has been a challenge; however, one that I have welcomed as it has caused me grow in my perspectives and to develop in my profession.
ReplyDeleteRoger
ReplyDeleteI agree that when learning within a face-to-face envrironment is left to the teacher being the "only" source to the knowledge. You are sitting there taking in what they know and, in my opinion, you are taking on their learning.
Where as, in an online learning environment you are allowed to research more in depth on the topic and form your own knowledge. You are able to read the views of all of your fellow classmates and then voice your opinion. This type of freedom isn't always welcomed in a face-to-face learning environment.
Thanks for sharing.
Brandy
Roger,
ReplyDeleteI think from your blog to mine, there is a combination of positive and negative aspects to both face-to-face and online learning. I think the empathy between teacher and student is much greater in face-to-face environments, and can lead to more success. I also agree that it can be limiting to one source of knowledge. I teach a Hybrid course that is half face-to-face and half online, and I think that solved a lot of these problems, and it gets students to open up online, when they do not in face-to-face classes.
-Marc Boese