This week was about how important networking is becoming in education. In a video called “The Networked Student,” by Wendy Drexler, Wendy goes through what might go on in the life of a student that is learning through various forms of networking. As a person that has not had much experience in using networking in education, I found this video enlightening, and thought the author had lots of good things to say.
The first thing that caught my attention was when Drexler mentioned networking as something that “empowers the student to take control of their learning.” The thought of students being able to take control of their learning is something that I think really motivates the students. When the students can do projects and assignments that they are interested in, I think they are more motivated to learn. Even if you give the students a certain topic, they can learn about it their own way, and they might be more likely to find out more or more in-depth information that you might have wanted in the first place. I can see now how networking would be one way a student could become more interested and start taking control.
After a student takes control of their learning, the next line from Drexler falls into place. “… and make new connections with others that will strengthen the learning process.” Even in first grade I can see my students making connections with other students and using that to problem solve. Even if it is a simple game on the computer, watching the students use and learn from each other is incredible. All students come from different backgrounds and different situations, so they will have different ideas and opinions. I think this idea of connecting with other students is one of the strengths of the networking system, and is something that you cannot always get by a teacher lecture kind of class.
And the last idea that I took from the video was role of the teacher. The teacher being a guide and model is a great for the students to start taking responsibility. This way the teacher is always available, but does not get in the way of students’ learning. The teacher can support the students, but is not necessarily standing in front of them lecturing and feeding them information. The important role of this teacher, and all teachers using technology, is to make sure they teach their students how to find the good information. While the web can be a great source of information we know that not every website out there is right, or even has good information.
After watching this video, I see how networking is something that could be a very good tool for teaching in the future. Having the students take responsibility for their learning is not something that we are not all familiar with yet, but after watching the video, and reading about all of the electronic resources in our textbook, ( Integrating technology and digital media in the classroom) I see that using networking might be something that could really benefit our students and help them learn and find things that many of us didn’t get to discover, because we sat and listened to lectures. The information is out there for students to find, we just need to guide them, and show them how to find it.
Drexler, W. (2008). The networked student. Retrieved September 11, 2010, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwM4ieFOotA.
Gunter, G. A., Gunter, R. E., & Shelly, G.B. (2010). Integrating technology and digital media in the classroom (6th ed.). United States: Course Technology, Cengage Learning.
Hi Megan,
ReplyDeleteI loved your posting because not only did we have a similar outlook on the video and principles from the idea, but I learned more about the information by reading your blog. I believe that the part you stated about the students being able to connect to other students in other areas is significant because many students do only know what is around them and are hindered by not having interaction with the differences in society. There is an abundance of learning that they can receive just through social networking alone and creating a relationship with people who come from a different background, ethnicity, environment, income, etc. I would like to make sure I implement this into my classroom so that my students will have a chance to not only hear and read about it, but have access to it all at their fingertips! Thank you for your insight!
--Maggie
The quote, “empowers the student to take control of their learning,” stuck out to me as well. I agree that students should be able to take control of their learning. Sometimes that may even include choosing their topics to learn about. Since we are stuck in this testing era, that is not always possible so networking is a great way for them to still have control. If they can’t control what they need to learn about, then at least they can control how they are learning.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that the role of the teacher should be “a guide and a model.” When teachers stand in front of the room and talk at their students, they may mean well. They are probably giving the students tons of useful information, but for the most part, I think that the students do not retain that information when it is taught in that manner. However, when the teacher models how to find the information and guides the students through the process of finding it themselves, it is more meaningful for the students and they remember it better.
-Christie
I also loved the quote from Wendy Drexler that networking students, “empowers the student to take control of their learning.” You are correct in thinking that this will help the students learn more efficiently. I have seen this happen with my class. When I have given the students a topic to research in the media center, they clearly learned more and retained more information compared to when I have lectured. When the students take more ownership over their work, they will work harder to learn the material instead of just completing the assignment for a grade.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with your quote about, “The information is out there for students to find, we just need to guide them, and show them how to find it.” The role of the teacher should be to guide the students in their quest for knowledge. Giving up control of the classroom is a difficult thing to do as a teacher. However, it is in the best interest of the students so they can learn more efficiently.
"Even in first grade I can see my students making connections with other students and using that to problem solve. Even if it is a simple game on the computer, watching the students use and learn from each other is incredible. All students come from different backgrounds and different situations, so they will have different ideas and opinions. I think this idea of connecting with other students is one of the strengths of the networking system, and is something that you cannot always get by a teacher lecture kind of class."
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate how you've related Drexler's ideas to your immediate first grade classroom context! It sounds like you're thinking of how the principles apply even in those face-to-face connections between students. That's a great first step! I wonder what you could do to model this process by helping the entire classroom (as a group) make connections to information resources and/or experts via the Internet. What do you think?
You comment on how children help each other problem solve and that this is one example of the concepts presented in the video. I agree.
ReplyDeleteChildren are natural scientists, who are driven to explore and learn about what interests them. Many children like helping other children, many are leaders by nature. As teachers, we need to create the environment for them to be successful (Drexler's video used the term "architect") because it allows them to build a learning network in a way that feels comfortable to them. And, they don't all have to be in the same classroom, either! The opportunities for diverse cultural understanding and respect through information sharing and "connectedness" are profound.
Kelvin- I have been using my smartboard more and more as the school year has gone on. I am thinking that if I put that in front of the class, and do activities online that everyone can watch and participate in, that might be one way to make a connection. Or I think it would at least be a place to start.
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