Wendy Drexler: The Networked Student
In this video, the idea of connectivism is presented. What is connectivism? It is a theory that presumes that learning occurs as part of a social network of many diverse connections and ties. The student in the works on a project based on connectivism. First, he makes a personal learning network. Next, he finds valid websites on his topic. After he finds a useful website, he puts it onto his social bookmarking sight. Next, the student looks at other people's blog on the subject. If he sees that he is more informed, then he will write on the person's blog the information he has found. Also, the student blogs on his own website what he has learned. Next, the student dowloads podcast from worthy professors onto his ipod for listening. Later, he comes across a documentary relating to his project topic. He then calls the filmmaker and arranges a Skype interview between the class and the filmmaker. Sounds like a great project!
At the end of the video, it mentions what the teaching does in this situation. The teacher is more of a mentor. She helps the student establish learning network, pick the right from wrong, helps him filter information, communicate properly, and also helps organize the information. It doesn't even sound like a teacher anymore. In this situation, the student is still the learner but the internet is the teacher.
There are some things I like and dislike about this situation. If the teacher only has the irresponsibility of doing the duties that were stated above, then there would be hardly any point for them to go to college. All they would have to do is take a class on how to be a good mentor. Eventually, the only people who would contain and teach information would be professionals of that particular study. If all schools used this method, would it put too much work on the student? What would the curriculum look like? What it be a success?
Hi, my name is Candace Buzbee. I really enjoyed reading this post. It has been a couple of weeks since I watched this video, but after reading your post I remember it! Your post was well written and very well explained. I loved how you asked some questions at the end, to make people think about what they just read/watched. The only thing that I would recommend would be to re-read your post before posting it. Here is an example, "She helps the student the student establish learning network...". "The student" is written twice in this sentence, but this is the only problem I seen. Keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteSincerely,
Candace
"If the teacher only has the irresponsibility of doing the chores that were stated above, then there would be hardly any point for them to go to college." First, are you sure you want to use "irresponsibility"? Second, lets look at the "chores" you speak of: "She helps the student establish learning network, pick the right from wrong, helps him filter information, communicate properly, and also helps organize the information." Do you really think these are not skills learned in college? Third, you say "the internet is the teacher." This is the case only if you think the teacher's job is to provide the students with facts. Are you really committed to the burp back method? Maybe so. I hope not.
ReplyDelete"Eventually, the only people who would contain and teach information would be professionals of that particular study. If all schools used this method, would it put to much work on the student? What would the curriculum look like? What it be a success? " "Contain and teach information?" So they have had their heads cut open and facts have been poured in and they did not burp it all back out? And they are continuing this process with their students.
I think you are very confused about the argument being made by the video. Watch it again. Rethink what you have written.
"...it put to much..." to should be too
Unacceptable because you do not understand what Wendy Drexler was saying.