I am looking forward to the day when this blog can be about my own thoughts, not someone elses. In a few short weeks, win-lose pass-fail this journey in my life will be closed. My life will be my own. I have mentally checked out long ago... but I am determined to see this through to fruition. When I do, I can't wait to hijack my own blog and start writing creatively again, rather than just scholarly.
When I became a nurse my intention was to become a writer.
Now I am trying to become a nursing instructor.... and I feel drawn back to the creative side of me. To writing once again.
Life is a funny bunch of contradictions like that.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Blog 4 R2D2
When designing online learning experiences it is important to be mindful of the diverse ways individuals process information. The R2D2 model for online learning provides a basis to guide instructors in addressing diversity in learning. Read, reflect, display and do are the directives for R2D2. These activities are based on Kolb’s learning styles (Bonk, August 2006).
Reading may involve visual and auditory stimulus. Podcast, synchronous and asynchronous meetings are ways to enhance the learner’s reading experiences. These activities are especially important for learners who may learn best from auditory stimuli. Reading may involve articles, book assignments, FAQs, chats, discussions, etc. When reading activities are paired with meaningful visuals such as photographs, graphs, etc, learning activities are enhanced. These visuals need to be more than decorative to impact the effectiveness of learning. Multimedia presentations, utilizing visual, auditory and interactive online classroom materials are very effective in enhancing the learning experience. (Clark, 2008)
Reflecting combined with reading may be done in blogging as well as chat room experiences. Reflecting gives the learner an opportunity to process and construct knowledge. Online debate and journaling gives the learner opportunities for reflective learning. The advantage to online reflective opportunities versus actual classroom is that the learner has time to think about and prepare a response utilizing multiple resources available through the classroom site, as well as others. These type of activities may appeal best to observational learners (Bonk, August 2006).
Displaying provides multiple visual demonstrations in online learning communities. Displaying uses written words as well as graphics. It is important to remember that visual learners may do best with graphics, charts and concept maps to illustrate a point. Displaying is widely used in online learning communities. Graphic illustrations are sometimes made more effective with auditory effects as well (Bonk, August 2006).
The last component of R2D2 is doing. These activities are designed with the kinesthetic learner in mind. Doing activities may present the biggest challenge for online classrooms. They usually involve muscle memory and physical activity. In online learning communities doing may be accomplished by stimulations, case studies and interactive gaming (Bonk, August 2006).
Traditional classrooms were taught to appeal most to auditory learners. Kolb’s theories helped teachers understand the diverse learning needs of their students. The most important thing to remember when designing an online classroom is that learners and their learning styles are widely varied. Also, no individual learns best just from one type of learning experience. Using a model such as R2D2 assists instructors in developing learning sites that will enhance students’ overall experience and effective acquisition of new knowledge.
Works Cited
Bonk, C. &. (August 2006). Introducing the R2D2 Model: Online learning for the diverse learners of this world. Distance Education, Volume 27 # 2 , 249-64.
Clark, R. &. (2008). E-Learning and the Science of Instruction. San Francisco, CA: Pfeiffer.
Reading may involve visual and auditory stimulus. Podcast, synchronous and asynchronous meetings are ways to enhance the learner’s reading experiences. These activities are especially important for learners who may learn best from auditory stimuli. Reading may involve articles, book assignments, FAQs, chats, discussions, etc. When reading activities are paired with meaningful visuals such as photographs, graphs, etc, learning activities are enhanced. These visuals need to be more than decorative to impact the effectiveness of learning. Multimedia presentations, utilizing visual, auditory and interactive online classroom materials are very effective in enhancing the learning experience. (Clark, 2008)
Reflecting combined with reading may be done in blogging as well as chat room experiences. Reflecting gives the learner an opportunity to process and construct knowledge. Online debate and journaling gives the learner opportunities for reflective learning. The advantage to online reflective opportunities versus actual classroom is that the learner has time to think about and prepare a response utilizing multiple resources available through the classroom site, as well as others. These type of activities may appeal best to observational learners (Bonk, August 2006).
Displaying provides multiple visual demonstrations in online learning communities. Displaying uses written words as well as graphics. It is important to remember that visual learners may do best with graphics, charts and concept maps to illustrate a point. Displaying is widely used in online learning communities. Graphic illustrations are sometimes made more effective with auditory effects as well (Bonk, August 2006).
The last component of R2D2 is doing. These activities are designed with the kinesthetic learner in mind. Doing activities may present the biggest challenge for online classrooms. They usually involve muscle memory and physical activity. In online learning communities doing may be accomplished by stimulations, case studies and interactive gaming (Bonk, August 2006).
Traditional classrooms were taught to appeal most to auditory learners. Kolb’s theories helped teachers understand the diverse learning needs of their students. The most important thing to remember when designing an online classroom is that learners and their learning styles are widely varied. Also, no individual learns best just from one type of learning experience. Using a model such as R2D2 assists instructors in developing learning sites that will enhance students’ overall experience and effective acquisition of new knowledge.
Works Cited
Bonk, C. &. (August 2006). Introducing the R2D2 Model: Online learning for the diverse learners of this world. Distance Education, Volume 27 # 2 , 249-64.
Clark, R. &. (2008). E-Learning and the Science of Instruction. San Francisco, CA: Pfeiffer.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
The Death of Aristotle’s World
The Death of Aristotle’s World
We know longer live in a world where one can read from every book or document written as Aristotle once believed (Bonk, 2009). We are over inundated with information on a daily basis. Information overload is a part of the internet, television, radio… We can watch the world burn in real time from half a world away. Some learners will become over stimulated by the barrage of constant information choosing to shut off the stimulus. Others may recognize that no one can know it all and choose to work in teams. A generation of technological savvy individuals actually prefers group work to working alone (Billings, 2005). As a member of generation X this is a difficult phenomenon for me to accept. However, the ever-changing world puts higher demands on the learner and instructor facilitating these generational adaptations.
When I was a young girl, I dreamed of being a published author. I had fantasies about traveling to New York City, finally getting my work accepted by a publisher and traveling the world to promote my novel. Now, I can be published in minutes online. One good television or internet promotion and my book is available to readers in seconds. The world truly is open to those who embrace that concept. Blogging enables authors who would never be recognized by the formal world of publishers to get their work to the public on their own.
According to the reading this week there are three larger trends converging in the world of online learning, the availability of tools/infrastructure , the availability of free/open educational content, and lastly a movement toward a global culture, collaborating and sharing in the learning experience (Bonk, 2009).
The world of information has grown so large there is no way one can process it. While at the same time the physical world has gotten smaller with the advent of the internet. We can Skype with someone halfway across the world overcoming time and distance. Learning has changed. With free access sites such as Google scholar, one can access educational pieces from home. No more long hours at the library research all the old periodicals for scholarly articles. With a click of the mouse in the right search engine, one’s questions can be answered relatively quickly. In the distant past many texts could not be accessed except by the elite. Books were sacred, reserved for only a few. Now, through free and open educational servers books may be accessed by virtually anyone.
With the proper pipes for delivery (bandwidth), the pages of many books can be delivered to anyone in any area of the world. Truly the world is open.
Works Cited
Billings, D. &. (2005). Teaching in Nursing A Guide for Faculty. St. Louis, MO: Saunders Elseiver.
Bonk, C. (2009). The World is Open How Web Technology is Revolutionizing Education. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
We know longer live in a world where one can read from every book or document written as Aristotle once believed (Bonk, 2009). We are over inundated with information on a daily basis. Information overload is a part of the internet, television, radio… We can watch the world burn in real time from half a world away. Some learners will become over stimulated by the barrage of constant information choosing to shut off the stimulus. Others may recognize that no one can know it all and choose to work in teams. A generation of technological savvy individuals actually prefers group work to working alone (Billings, 2005). As a member of generation X this is a difficult phenomenon for me to accept. However, the ever-changing world puts higher demands on the learner and instructor facilitating these generational adaptations.
When I was a young girl, I dreamed of being a published author. I had fantasies about traveling to New York City, finally getting my work accepted by a publisher and traveling the world to promote my novel. Now, I can be published in minutes online. One good television or internet promotion and my book is available to readers in seconds. The world truly is open to those who embrace that concept. Blogging enables authors who would never be recognized by the formal world of publishers to get their work to the public on their own.
According to the reading this week there are three larger trends converging in the world of online learning, the availability of tools/infrastructure , the availability of free/open educational content, and lastly a movement toward a global culture, collaborating and sharing in the learning experience (Bonk, 2009).
The world of information has grown so large there is no way one can process it. While at the same time the physical world has gotten smaller with the advent of the internet. We can Skype with someone halfway across the world overcoming time and distance. Learning has changed. With free access sites such as Google scholar, one can access educational pieces from home. No more long hours at the library research all the old periodicals for scholarly articles. With a click of the mouse in the right search engine, one’s questions can be answered relatively quickly. In the distant past many texts could not be accessed except by the elite. Books were sacred, reserved for only a few. Now, through free and open educational servers books may be accessed by virtually anyone.
With the proper pipes for delivery (bandwidth), the pages of many books can be delivered to anyone in any area of the world. Truly the world is open.
Works Cited
Billings, D. &. (2005). Teaching in Nursing A Guide for Faculty. St. Louis, MO: Saunders Elseiver.
Bonk, C. (2009). The World is Open How Web Technology is Revolutionizing Education. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Blog 3 Week 6
Perhaps the reason there are so many theories of learning is that truly there are so many different ways human being receive, process and utilize information. Behaviorists believe that learning is re-enforced by positive or negative feedback (Anderson, 2004). The proof that learning occurred is evidenced by objective behaviors of the learner. However, animals can be “trained” to certain behaviors by providing positive re-enforcements. Does this mean that actual higher functioning reasoning has taken place? Are human beings more complex than a series of bells and whistles alerting us that we did “well” or we did “wrong”?
Cognitivists theorize that learning is not externally visible but an internal process. Cognitive learning is a combination of memory, motivation, reflection, etc. In cognitive theory the information is processed and manipulated in the learner’s mind (Anderson, 2004).
Constructivists postulate that learners build new knowledge by internalizing information through personal interpretation. Learning is a development process which holds the key to individual transformation (Billings, 2005).
Clark and Mayer summarize learning theories very well by illustrating three metaphors of learning. The first being Response Strengthening (Behavioral Theory) in which the learner is a passive recipient of rewards and punishments doled out by the instructor. Information Acquisition (Cognitive) the second metaphor is summarized simply by learning is information being added to memory by an active instructor and a passive recipient (student). The final metaphor, Knowledge Construction (Constructivism) is where an active learner builds a mental representation of knowledge being guided by an instructor (Clark, 2008).
Perhaps more than one thing can be true at a time. Perhaps individuals learn by all these methods. It is important when developing online learning communities one be mindful of theories of learning, utilize the information to assist student learning without overwhelming the learner with too much information. Limiting the visual and audio stimulation on a website or making sure the two collaborate well is one way to manage cognitive resources.
In the webinar this week Dr. John Seely Brown discussed the benefits of online gaming in learning. Games teach. They provide interactive learning opportunities for students. Dr. Brown talks specifically about the power of play. He elaborates often on popular online games like World of Warcraft (WOW), teach and provide opportunities of collaboration. In his webinar he mentioned the sadness of the lack of passion among some highly intelligent learners. It is through doing that learning occurs. Dr. Brown is passionate about the role of play in learning (Brown, 2011). Playing provides opportunity for learners to “do”, to try new things and find new pathways to overcome obstacles. In my own practice we teach our parents this concept. We teach about how babies learn through experimentation and through play. Give an infant a set of blocks and watch what they learn by playing with them. A 6 month infant will pick up a block, mouth it and transfer it from one hand to another. Fine motor skills are being developed while the infant also is learning about the world. At 8 months an infant will bang two blocks together. Now the child has learned about cause and effect as well as sound. Eventually the child will learn to stack blocks, then knock them down and start all over again. These simple tasks often go overlooked by parents who want their child to be “smart”. However, this play teaches not only fine motor skills, but problem solving skills and frustration tolerance. In online communities, situated cognition, where learning is doing and cognitive apprenticeship, mentoring can both be observed in gaming communities such as WOW (Brown, 2011). Rather than criticize these activities, instructors can learn from them and utilize the techniques that are proving most effective from these communities.
Memory is a complex system organized and triggered by visual, auditory, tactile and olfactory stimulus. Memory may be short term or long term. Memory may be enhanced by mnemonic devices. Some theorists contend that memorization involves only short term recall and is not proof that learning has occurred (Billings, 2005). If this is true, the way educational institutions in this country have evaluated learning and teaching effectiveness has been a wasted endeavor. Typical testing in our schools is an evaluation of short term recall or memorization. Applied knowledge is more difficult to assess.
In this educator’s experience, learning has most always been accompanied by doing. The opportunity to practice applied knowledge makes that knowledge a part of who we are. There is an old adage, tell me I forget, show me I may remember, but let me do and I learn. The readings, the webinar all came together for me this week in a way that says people learn by doing. Online communities can give opportunity to practice skills through simulation and through games. The experiences our students find pleasurable while at the same time allowing them to acquire and utilize new knowledge are the ones that will stay with them for a lifetime.
Works Cited
Anderson, T. &. (2004). Theory and Practice of Online Learning. Athabasca, AB, Canada.
Billings, D. &. (2005). Teaching in Nursing A Guide for Faculty. St. Louis, MO: Saunders Elseiver.
Brown, D. J. (2011, February 13). Digital Media - New Learners Of The 21st Century. (PBS, Interviewer)
Clark, R. &. (2008). E-Learning and the Science of Instruction. San Francisco, CA: Pfeiffer.
Cognitivists theorize that learning is not externally visible but an internal process. Cognitive learning is a combination of memory, motivation, reflection, etc. In cognitive theory the information is processed and manipulated in the learner’s mind (Anderson, 2004).
Constructivists postulate that learners build new knowledge by internalizing information through personal interpretation. Learning is a development process which holds the key to individual transformation (Billings, 2005).
Clark and Mayer summarize learning theories very well by illustrating three metaphors of learning. The first being Response Strengthening (Behavioral Theory) in which the learner is a passive recipient of rewards and punishments doled out by the instructor. Information Acquisition (Cognitive) the second metaphor is summarized simply by learning is information being added to memory by an active instructor and a passive recipient (student). The final metaphor, Knowledge Construction (Constructivism) is where an active learner builds a mental representation of knowledge being guided by an instructor (Clark, 2008).
Perhaps more than one thing can be true at a time. Perhaps individuals learn by all these methods. It is important when developing online learning communities one be mindful of theories of learning, utilize the information to assist student learning without overwhelming the learner with too much information. Limiting the visual and audio stimulation on a website or making sure the two collaborate well is one way to manage cognitive resources.
In the webinar this week Dr. John Seely Brown discussed the benefits of online gaming in learning. Games teach. They provide interactive learning opportunities for students. Dr. Brown talks specifically about the power of play. He elaborates often on popular online games like World of Warcraft (WOW), teach and provide opportunities of collaboration. In his webinar he mentioned the sadness of the lack of passion among some highly intelligent learners. It is through doing that learning occurs. Dr. Brown is passionate about the role of play in learning (Brown, 2011). Playing provides opportunity for learners to “do”, to try new things and find new pathways to overcome obstacles. In my own practice we teach our parents this concept. We teach about how babies learn through experimentation and through play. Give an infant a set of blocks and watch what they learn by playing with them. A 6 month infant will pick up a block, mouth it and transfer it from one hand to another. Fine motor skills are being developed while the infant also is learning about the world. At 8 months an infant will bang two blocks together. Now the child has learned about cause and effect as well as sound. Eventually the child will learn to stack blocks, then knock them down and start all over again. These simple tasks often go overlooked by parents who want their child to be “smart”. However, this play teaches not only fine motor skills, but problem solving skills and frustration tolerance. In online communities, situated cognition, where learning is doing and cognitive apprenticeship, mentoring can both be observed in gaming communities such as WOW (Brown, 2011). Rather than criticize these activities, instructors can learn from them and utilize the techniques that are proving most effective from these communities.
Memory is a complex system organized and triggered by visual, auditory, tactile and olfactory stimulus. Memory may be short term or long term. Memory may be enhanced by mnemonic devices. Some theorists contend that memorization involves only short term recall and is not proof that learning has occurred (Billings, 2005). If this is true, the way educational institutions in this country have evaluated learning and teaching effectiveness has been a wasted endeavor. Typical testing in our schools is an evaluation of short term recall or memorization. Applied knowledge is more difficult to assess.
In this educator’s experience, learning has most always been accompanied by doing. The opportunity to practice applied knowledge makes that knowledge a part of who we are. There is an old adage, tell me I forget, show me I may remember, but let me do and I learn. The readings, the webinar all came together for me this week in a way that says people learn by doing. Online communities can give opportunity to practice skills through simulation and through games. The experiences our students find pleasurable while at the same time allowing them to acquire and utilize new knowledge are the ones that will stay with them for a lifetime.
Works Cited
Anderson, T. &. (2004). Theory and Practice of Online Learning. Athabasca, AB, Canada.
Billings, D. &. (2005). Teaching in Nursing A Guide for Faculty. St. Louis, MO: Saunders Elseiver.
Brown, D. J. (2011, February 13). Digital Media - New Learners Of The 21st Century. (PBS, Interviewer)
Clark, R. &. (2008). E-Learning and the Science of Instruction. San Francisco, CA: Pfeiffer.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Blog 2 Week 4 The Future is open
One of the most striking quotes from Chapter 9 this week are that the increase in our society’s mobility has amplified the lack of community, inspiring us as a society to look for something to hold on to or to connect (Renninger and Shumar, 2002). I think this statement explains the huge popularity of social networking sites such as Facebook. We seek to belong. Human beings are social by design. The loss of connection to a place, people, family, a religion, a vocation, even an idea sometimes leaves us feeling empty and alone. A connection made online may be maintained wherever our lives take us. If in the military and stationed half-way around the world one can still maintain connections within her online community through social networking sites. Change happens so rapidly in today’s world. Our communities barely have time to recover from the impact of one change before another larger one occurs. I consider the place I moved from this summer. The economy there has been so damaged by the recession, as well as the shift away from a manufacturing based society.Individuals have been forced to simply leave the area in order to support their families.The dot com bubble of the 90s that rapidly burst at the beginning of the millennium is another example of rapid economic change. We are training our children for jobs we don’t even know yet to exist. We have no idea what the economy will look like for future generations.How do we prepare for a vision we have yet to have? We may lose our community, neighborhood, vocation but we can still maintain contact with the people and places that matter to us- online.
The impact of information seeking online has been large.In the past, one might consult a friend or family member for advice on relationships or parenting. Now one may consult complete strangers by posting to a member board on a specific site. I think the challenges of this type of information gathering are much the same as any advice, knowing what is good for use and what should be disregarded. Readers should use caution when heeding advice from unknown sources. The common public distrust in government agencies presents challenges for some reputable sources of information (Renninger and Shumar, 2002). The internet can be a source of misinformation, for instance, the continued press attention given to Jenny McCarthy, an actress who is the mother of an autistic child versus the CDC who continues to maintain the safety and efficacy of vaccinations. McCarthy is not a scientist, but a mother who believes immunizations caused the development of Autism in her child. This makes her a sympathetic figure in a very controversial topic. Although the evidence strongly supports the safety of vaccinations, the public perception is still the government is hiding something. This is not a completely undeserved reputation considering Tuskegee (CDC, 2010). As educators, working within public institutions for higher learning, it is important to understand these conceptions to know the barriers our audience may have in accepting information.
The possibilities for change online are endless. One may join a weight loss or fitness community, enhancing one’s own health. An individual may continue his education online, acquiring a higher degree. Resumes are delivered in online communities. Moves to other areas are planned.Research into various topics of interest all done online. Educators need to be at the forefront of using technology to enhance learning. If there are not good sources of desired information online, rest assured less than desirable sources will fill the gap for that knowledge.
Understanding the life cycles of online learning communities is important for educators. Though the stages may not be completely defined but educators need to plan for the basic stages of their own online learning experience. Without adequate planning, time may not be sufficient to accomplish learning objectives. The experience related in the reading about the zero-G project was interesting. Even more interesting was the lack of interest by some faculty to utilize the learning experience. Online learning takes time which is not always affordable in public school settings. It may be more conducive in college settings or with adult learners.
I think the future is wide open for online learning. The day may come when our children are learning Mandarin from Chinese students who are simultaneously learning English from them. Giving people the opportunity to teach in one of the greatest enhancements to learning we can provide. I know my students have taught me way more than I have them. Teaching forces one to do research and experiment with theories.
What an amazing world we live in and an exciting time to be alive! Technology has made a world of knowledge accessible that remained hidden from those of us who could not travel extensively.I am looking forward to what comes next in the world of education. Additionally, the world of research and theory development is wide open for online learning. Those of us currently expanding our knowledge may develop or research effective online educational tools marking a path for future generations. Sometimes, the readings for this class are overwhelming to me. I struggle to utilize the technology myself. I’ve been frustrated to the point of tears with some of the glitches in creating and utilizing an online learning community. However, when I think of the possibilities for my own children I am encouraged to continue to press forward. This is an exciting time to be a nurse educator. I look forward to what comes next.
Works Cited
CDC. (2010, June 7). U.S. Public Health Service Syphilis Study at Tuskegee. Retrieved February 10, 2011, from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov
Renninger, K. & Shumar, W(2002). Building Virtual Communities. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.
The impact of information seeking online has been large.In the past, one might consult a friend or family member for advice on relationships or parenting. Now one may consult complete strangers by posting to a member board on a specific site. I think the challenges of this type of information gathering are much the same as any advice, knowing what is good for use and what should be disregarded. Readers should use caution when heeding advice from unknown sources. The common public distrust in government agencies presents challenges for some reputable sources of information (Renninger and Shumar, 2002). The internet can be a source of misinformation, for instance, the continued press attention given to Jenny McCarthy, an actress who is the mother of an autistic child versus the CDC who continues to maintain the safety and efficacy of vaccinations. McCarthy is not a scientist, but a mother who believes immunizations caused the development of Autism in her child. This makes her a sympathetic figure in a very controversial topic. Although the evidence strongly supports the safety of vaccinations, the public perception is still the government is hiding something. This is not a completely undeserved reputation considering Tuskegee (CDC, 2010). As educators, working within public institutions for higher learning, it is important to understand these conceptions to know the barriers our audience may have in accepting information.
The possibilities for change online are endless. One may join a weight loss or fitness community, enhancing one’s own health. An individual may continue his education online, acquiring a higher degree. Resumes are delivered in online communities. Moves to other areas are planned.Research into various topics of interest all done online. Educators need to be at the forefront of using technology to enhance learning. If there are not good sources of desired information online, rest assured less than desirable sources will fill the gap for that knowledge.
Understanding the life cycles of online learning communities is important for educators. Though the stages may not be completely defined but educators need to plan for the basic stages of their own online learning experience. Without adequate planning, time may not be sufficient to accomplish learning objectives. The experience related in the reading about the zero-G project was interesting. Even more interesting was the lack of interest by some faculty to utilize the learning experience. Online learning takes time which is not always affordable in public school settings. It may be more conducive in college settings or with adult learners.
I think the future is wide open for online learning. The day may come when our children are learning Mandarin from Chinese students who are simultaneously learning English from them. Giving people the opportunity to teach in one of the greatest enhancements to learning we can provide. I know my students have taught me way more than I have them. Teaching forces one to do research and experiment with theories.
What an amazing world we live in and an exciting time to be alive! Technology has made a world of knowledge accessible that remained hidden from those of us who could not travel extensively.I am looking forward to what comes next in the world of education. Additionally, the world of research and theory development is wide open for online learning. Those of us currently expanding our knowledge may develop or research effective online educational tools marking a path for future generations. Sometimes, the readings for this class are overwhelming to me. I struggle to utilize the technology myself. I’ve been frustrated to the point of tears with some of the glitches in creating and utilizing an online learning community. However, when I think of the possibilities for my own children I am encouraged to continue to press forward. This is an exciting time to be a nurse educator. I look forward to what comes next.
Works Cited
CDC. (2010, June 7). U.S. Public Health Service Syphilis Study at Tuskegee. Retrieved February 10, 2011, from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov
Renninger, K. & Shumar, W(2002). Building Virtual Communities. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Reflections on Week 1
Questions to Ponder...
A community used to be defined by geographic boundaries. Online communities however, may be defined by common interests, goals or activities. Online communities know no geographic boundaries. We are no longer limited to a community of face to face interactions. This is both liberating and isolating.
A community used to be defined by geographic boundaries. Online communities however, may be defined by common interests, goals or activities. Online communities know no geographic boundaries. We are no longer limited to a community of face to face interactions. This is both liberating and isolating.
A virtual learning community combines physical and virtual interaction. In virtual communities range may be extended or tailored at the click of a mouse. In virtual communities interactions with undesired members can be avoided by simply deleting them. There are predators in online communities, benefits and dangers just as there are in real-life communities. Some tasks are easier in the online community. There is no delete and block option for members of a traditional community.
2) The power of a virtual community is illustrated through TIME magazine’s article- YOU the person of the year by showing how every day individuals may contribute to a worldwide community by sharing their thoughts, ideas, reflections and news. The Korean house wife is an example of how an ordinary woman can teach about an entire culture simply by sharing her observations and experiences on life. Facebook has brought the world closer together. It enables family and friends to keep in touch, by chatting, online discussion, photography and video. With the advent of internet access via cell phone, the entire world is virtually at one’s fingertips. Youtube has made overnight sensation out of ordinary individuals and their situations. For example, the guitarist who had his guitar mauled by Delta airlines workers made a splash online by performing a song about his trial. So much so that Delta offered to reimburse him after refusing. He refused as he had made more money on I-tunes. Online opportunities are there for individuals to produce music, literature and video. These opportunities have never been as easily accessible as they are today. Stars are made overnight online.
3) In order to make a virtual learning community work it must be adaptable. The community must be tailored and continually adjusted to meet members’ needs. It is not simply to provide information. Interactive opportunities should be provided. Opportunities to apply knowledge gained and test what is learned should be available. Having a guide/moderator to assist learners in their time of need is also necessary to facilitate the learning process.
4)
This has been a challenging week for me. I also suffered a computer crash and had technical issues that caused my post to be late. The frustrations of these kind of issues will also present both to students and instructors alike. Sometimes face to face interaction is so much easier. Dealing with my own issues on learning how to prioritize time and tasks now that school is in full swing. I am an online learner myself and prefer online learning. The ability to participate in a class at the most beneficial time for me is incredible. However, challenges in time management will always present with self-directed learning. Some students may still find traditional classroom learning the best option for them even with all the benefits of online learning. There is a certain amount of fear of the technology. Replacing human interaction with machine is the stuff science fiction nightmares are made of. It is important as instructors to not fear the change associated with rapid evolving technology. We should use the technology to enhance interaction. Learning can be greatly improved with the use of effective internet teaching techniques. Utilizing technology can make us greater instructors with a generation of tech savvy students. I am looking forward to learning more ways to utilize and optimize online learning. The benefits are there for the students and for us as instructors. We can teach from home, in our pajamas (if we aren’t on camera). I can grade papers while having my morning coffee. We are no longer inhibited by the four walls of an institution. We are longer restricted to a rigid schedule. The possibilities are endless. I look forward to the future of learning. I am even more excited about the future of instruction. :)
Friday, January 21, 2011
test run
Just seeing if this actually works or not. I've blogged a little on Myspace but this is a new experience for me. If I can keep up with all the emails, passwords and Urls I should be good! I learned to put a photograph in my discussion post today so I'm feeling pretty confident I can do this thing! Here we go...
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