This video is about a high school student that is studying Psychology. He is in a class where his teacher barely does any lectures and the class is essentially a green classroom, meaning there are no books or paper required. All of the work, reading, and assignments are online. The student's teacher is a student of connectivism. Connectivism simply means that learning occurs as part of a social network of many diverse connection and ties. The teacher empowers her students to take charge of their own learning and to make connections with others who will strengthen their learning process.
The student starts off by making a PLN (personal learning network). He finds valid sites about his topic of study by using Google scholar and the school's library data base. When he finds sites that are worthy, he post them to his social bookmarking sites. Next the student creates a blog where he takes his knowledge of Psychology and shares his opinions with the world. The student also learns that through iTunesU he can access thousands of courses recorded by actual professors.
Why does a networked student need a teacher?
A networked student such as this Psychology student needs a teacher for guidance.
Students need teachers so that they can effectively learn how to access all kinds of information that technology has to offer. It's our responsibility as teachers to show our students how to communicate properly, how to differentiate good information from bad, to be respectful of others, and to help students organize all their information and how to apply these skills for their future.
I am truly impressed with this video. Her PLN looks to be like mine for EDM 310. However, I do wish I was able to be educated on things such as PLN when I was going through middle school, even high school. This seventh grader has a bright future because she is in touch with all the latest technologies and knows how to use them properly and effectively thanks to her teacher! It is engaging for students and it's a new way to stay organized and teach students how to become responsible.
Baldwin County is now ephasizing the use of challenge based, project-based and problem-based learning strategies at all grade levels. These efforts are similar to the networked student's approach to learning except the approaches vary according to grade. So get ready to be a Networked Teacher!
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything you said about why students need teachers. Teachers are there to offer guidance, communication skills, knowledge on how differentiate between facts they find online and propaganda, and assistance in organizing all of their information. I also think you're right about the use of personal learning networks in the classroom, a PLN is something all students should have! You have awesome organization and writing skills. Great post!
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