This is the first time I have ventured into e-books as well.As with any change to the norm, I found it a little difficult at first, and my behavior in taking notes had to change a little too. Once my behavior changed, my attitude about e-books was altered, and after I discovered the versatility of e-books, I will continue buying them when offered. My e-book was with me more than any form of written texts has ever been. I used Course Smart eTextbooks Application on my Iphone4 and had information at my fingertips whenever I needed it. I would encourage anyone to try e-books for class textbooks.
The human touch of teaching cannot be replaced in any form of learning. This human touch might include a face to face experience or it might include connections using a variety of technology tools; however, nothing can replace it. One of the first thing I learned while beginning my distance education venture is that technology can enhance learning and motivate learners. This is why I have chosen this curriculum.
“All tools on deck” is my philosophy of learning.I believe what works for one may not work for the same one another day or time. Variety of instruction is the key to learning, and using variety motivates our students. When our students are motivated, they are interested in learning. When they are interested in learning and see success based on their actions, they will continue to succeed.
Technology offers all that I see important to teach students to be motivated, successful life-long learners. It offers information beyond a single person or books.It offers others experiences, and with open spaces, it allows the opportunity to connect, collaborate, revise, and repost information based on interests and ideas of original creators.
Wanda Ardoin-Bailey
I responded to L. Dart and Chris Wallo originally on May 25 as a separate post due to problems with the blogger site. I have recently copied the comments to the composers' posts.
I responded to the blogs of LaTonya Simmons and Bradley Gogan.
My assistant principal is not too keen on the idea of using social media and/or cell phones as an effective tool in education; however, since my leave of absence to care for my mother, I have been working with my students via smart phone.By using e-mails, videos, and social media through my cell phone, I have encouraged my students, answered questions, viewed their work before submission, and checked for understanding during critical times of their projects. I have been sharing my students’ accomplishments with my principal through the ordeal. Though motivation is important for students, everyone can gain insight using this motivational design.First, involving my principal was strictly for documentation purposes.I wanted to make sure there was nothing that could be construed inappropriate by responding to my students through the various uses of technology. I didn’t realize this would gain the interest of my principal. Many of the features I used on my smart phone were features he was interested in using because he had recently purchased a phone and was clueless to its advanced mechanisms. Second, by making the use of my smart phone relevant to his needs, he understood the importance of my role with the students even though I was not in the classroom. Third, as I continued to share the information with my students, my principal asked about certain items of his phone and instructions on how to use specific features.At one time, I gave him directions on how to take a picture of an item that is currently on his smart phone screen. Last, I hope that because of the inquiries related to his Iphone4, he is using the phone more and appreciates the use of the phone with my students.I plan on incorporating the use my phone next year when I return to the classroom.
My network has changed the way I learn in a variety of ways. In viewing my mind map, I have noticed how heavily I rely on data sources for collaboration. I have always known I work better with people; I just didn’t realize how working online collaboratively have impacted the way I learn and where I get my information.
I believe the digital tools that best facilitate my learning include Skype, Wikis, and blogs. Though I was afraid that these tools would not give me the knowledge I need beyond a face-to-face environment; I was wrong. A year ago, social presence was indeed a problem for my extroverted personality. I thought I would never feel as comfortable online collaborating with people as I do face-to-face, but again, I was wrong. The digital tools used in collaborating online have allowed my extroverted personality to flourish, and learning continues in more depth.
When learning new knowledge, the first place I go is online. I use a variety of tools to get the answers I need, but I also like to confirm my new knowledge through friends, my spouse, and even other digital sources including journals. I may not use social media as my top choice when learning new knowledge, but I share new information in that manner. When seeking professional knowledge, I frequently use digital tools such as wikis, blogs, emails, and Skype.
Though I was surprised how my access to knowledge has changed when viewing it on the mind map, I am optimistic that it will continue to be impacted by digital tools for collaboration. Where you surprise after completing your mind map? What was the most shocking discovery?
Yes, I believe humans have a basic instinct to work together. As long as I can remember, teamwork was the biggest buzz word in any industry. When I was in high school, it was the most important character trait.This continued through college and as a high school teacher. If being a team player is an important character trait, then being able to work well with others seem to encompass the biggest advantages.
However, being a team player with others outside an industry seems to be an extension of teamwork of the past. Though we still will always have Coke competing against Pepsi and PCs with Mac, cooperation among large industries will be the new way to give more and learn more. It may mean those “big corporations” will be lead by new and innovative companies with the idea of sharing and collaborating as part of their mission with its new form of wealth as Rheingold explains (2008).
Technology facilitates collaboration according to Driscoll (2005) by providing experts from a variety of places to interact with learners, providing students with simulations that gives them real world experiences without the cost or the danger, and helping students to be aware of what they are actually learning and by becoming managers of their own learning process.
Driscoll, M. P. (2005). Psychology of learning for instruction (3rd ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education.
The first post truly interested me because as I was reading information related to cognitivism, I continued to think of the words, "eithor/and or" I couldn't fit my style of teaching in one or the other method, behaviorism or cognitivism. At times, I felt that my style strictly related to behaviorism, but when I resolved to that notion, something else would rush to my memory that made me think otherwise. It was refreshing to hear that it doesn't have to be either/or; it can be "and", sothis leads me to I agree with Kapp's (2007) blogspot that with the different layers of learning comes the different approaches to gaining knowledge.
The theories of learning have evolved from necessary change because learning is not stagnant. Theories no matter scientific or educational, in my opinion, are there to be challenged because from those challenges we have a better way of doing things.
As I can see how I was not "cherry picking", or using theories as a blinker, I was indeed using them as a guide (Kerr, 2007). When watching the video, remember in a single week or single lesson how you also changed you’re prospective. As part of my teaching philosophy, one theory might hold true for my students, but the use of others are far behind
What is your pilosophy of teaching and how do theories of learning impact it?
A short time ago, I felt like I would just pick an assignment out of a hat to motivate, inspire, and educate my students, but I was not doing that at all. In fact I buy into theories because of my observations, facts, and predications as it relates to a particular subject, class, or even a concept I want to convey.
