The technological tools learners are using outside the classroom can be brought into the educational process in a number of ways. Some tools and strategies are better for this purpose. Some of the best suited are wikis, blogs, chat, and Skype.
Wikis, blogs, chat, and Skype are examples of current developments with technology and social software that are significantly altering how learners access information and knowledge, and how learners dialogue with the instructor and each other (Siemens, 2008). The act of interacting, up to this point, has been controlled by the instructor. But these technology tools allow the learning to be more learner-centric and encourage collaboration.
Some benefits and advantages these technology tools provide are that the majority of today’s students embrace this technology. Students entering higher education today are often described as millennials. The millennial learner, due to their digital lifestyles, and having grown up in a digital, networked world, have “expectations of education as a participative, engaging, and active environment” (Siemens, 2008, p. 6).
Reference
Siemens, G. (2008, January). Learning and knowing in networks: Changing roles for educators and designers. ITForum
Daniel- your graph does not seem to be coming through in the box located in your blog (at least from my side) Am I missing something?
ReplyDeleteDaniel,
ReplyDeleteYou make an excellent point about the web 2.0 communication and collaboration tools you mention in your post. These tools definitely make the act of communication and collaboration more learner concentric. The benefits of using said wikis, blogs, Skype etc... are wide and numerous including the ability to collaborate synchronously, or asynchronously at a distance or near. Do you believe that there are potential negative side effects of the technological tools you mention?
Also your graphic organizer was not showing up when I viewed your blog on 1/26.
Sorry for the confusion. I thought the concept map was published. It looked like it was published at this end. I will figure this stuff out eventually.
ReplyDeleteYes, there are potential negative side affects for the technology tools. Some believe that all of these Web 2.0 tools further erode our interpersonal social skills. That all of this behind the curtain communication does not prepare us to interact with others, in person.
PS one minute the concept map is in the window. The next minute its gone. What am I doing wrong?
ReplyDeleteHi Daniel,
ReplyDeleteGreat job fixing the problem, I am able to access your graphic organizer.
You make a very point about the ways in which "millennials" communicate. I never thought about youtube being a communication tools but it certainly is as students can communicate with peers and the instructor through the creation of videos and project based learning.
Daniel,
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned that the majority of studets embrace technology and I think this is the reason why collaboration is on the rise! Our "millennials" are intrigued and see this as a normal part of their lives, as a result teachers will have little resistance implemeting these tools and platform in their instructions, at least at the elementary level:)