EDUC 8845 Module 5 Blog - Affective Learning Theory

It is indeed safe to assume that one will encounter people in the workplace who have low self-efficacy in experimenting with new technologies. In my own workplace, when our school transitioned over to a new technology-based method of teaching, there was much resistance, namely by those who had no secure comfort zone when it came to utilizing technology on a daily basis. The attitudes these people exhibited were those of initial insecurity, which instantly became attitudes of rejection, criticism of the new model, and doubt of the entire program. Their behaviors were very elusive; people who did not feel secure with the new program were very negative and even began to refuse to utilize the new program and relied heavily upon the traditional models of teaching instead of the new technology-infused models.

Using Keller’s ARCS model, I could change the motivation of these people to encourage to success. I could gain their attention and demonstrate the relevance of the new model by actually demonstrating the model in a live, real classroom from our school. In this fashion, the teachers who were not comfortable can be persuaded in a more positive way by visually and hands-on observing how it would work and perhaps see the utility in the process. Confidence could be endowed upon the teachers by providing a “training wheel” of sorts. By this, I mean that in-class assistance could be utilized to show the teacher how to specifically implement the model in their classroom, first by a trainer doing the process, then gradually weaning the teacher into the process with a training wheel, then finally, once the teacher is confident, allowing them to successfully move forward and explore and learn on their own. Of course, there would be mistakes to be made in the future, but the ideas of the new model would no longer be rejected and it is through the mistakes that the ultimate learning would take place.

Responses were posted to:
http://janedewitt.blogspot.com/
&
http://carollee387.blogspot.com

EDUC 8845 Module 4 Blog - Connectivist

My network has changed the way I learn in various ways. I now seek out knowledge and assistance in understanding from my networks more so than from a teacher and/or a textbook. I do use these as resources, just not in the same fashion as before. My pursuit of learning new knowledge when I have questions often begins as an Internet search. From here, I am directed to various technological as well as traditional methods, which answer my questions. My network has changed the way I treat the pursuit of information. I no longer rely solely upon text/teacher; I utilize my connections with similar professionals with similar questions. I learn from the experiences I encounter and the information of others’ experiences.
Digital tools which best facilitate learning for me include Google Search, Mail, Documents and Calendar, I utilize bubbl.us for concept mapping, as well as the New Technology Network’s resources, project libraries, and staff support tools.

Resources:

New Technology Network

Concept Mapping

Responses Posted to:
Carol Lee

Jesus Berrios

EDUC 8845 Module 3 Blog - Collaboration

I do indeed believe that humans have a basic instinct to interact and work as a group. As far back as time reaches, man has known to work and form collaborative, working groups. This is the basis of tribes and cultures. Fast forward to today, in our school systems and work systems, teams are formed on a daily basis to solve a problem or work on a project, workshop, or event. It is truly easier to collaborate and work together as a group than to delve into a huge task all alone.

Technology can facilitate collaboration among learners in several ways, based on constructivist principles. The constructivist principle of self-directed learning is definitely enhanced by technology in that it increases engagement with material and supports inquiry based approaches. Technology and namely the Internet afford learners the opportunity to interact with knowledge and seek actively information necessary to complete a task. Even this week in our assignments, technology, via Google Docs and Skype has allowed learners from across the world and spanning the coasts of the country to collaborate in a timely, effective, and efficient manner. Other technological advances such as cell phones, Instant Messengers, E-Mail, blogs and wikis further this collaboration notion in true constructivist form-active engagement built upon prior knowledge to collaborate in an inquiry-based environment.

Resources/Useful Websites:

http://www.calpro-online.org/eric/docs/brown/brown01_05.pdf

Responses Posted to the Following:

Carol Lee

Tiffany Wilkinson

Educ 8845 Module 2 Blog

Response to Bill Kerr & Karl Kapp Blogs:

I agree fully with Bill Kerr in that learning theories' jobs are essentially the "rebels/radicals" of education. Learning theories are charged with the responsibility of challenging curriculum as society evolves, and in turn explaining the challenges posed by the theory's challenges to current thought in curriculum. In other words,

Curriculum should be based upon the ever constancy of change, evolution, or dare I say, REVOLUTION...

I do not agree with Stephen Downes' blanket rejection of behaviorism. I feel that as students vary, so should processes, strategies, and theories. Learning, teaching, and theorizing about learning and teaching should vary as well. In response to Kerr's blog: I agree!!!!

Karl Kapp also agrees with Bill Kerr: "What we need to do is take the best from each philosophy and use it wisely to create solid educational experiences for our learners." Essentially, this is what I am leaning more towards as a result of this Module's discussions. I see now that one can only reply that REALISTICALLY, there is not ONE sure theory/method which describes how learners learn best. It appears to me that Kapp notes appropriate levels of learning requires various theoreis/methods which describe the stage of learning. For instance, to utilize Bloom's Taxonomy , I definitely agree with Kapp that lower levels require more behavoristic approaches, whereas the higher levels can lean more upon cognitivism. In response to Kapp: learning is multi-leveled, so why shouldn't theories contain multiple levels or consist of many theories at many different levels?

Kerr and Kapp have offered an immense amount of insight into the processes of considering and choosing theories and strategies for student learning!

For Module 2, I've responded to the following blogs: Tiffany Wilkinson , Carol Lee

Resources Used:

http://learningevolves.wikispaces.com/

http://www.c21te.usf.edu/materials/institute/ct/bltax.gif

http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2007/01/isms-as-filter-not-blinker.html

http://karlkapp.blogspot.com/2007/01/out-and-about-discussion-on-educational.html

Educ 8845 Module 1 Blog

Topic:
What are your beliefs about how people learn best? What is the purpose of learning theory in educational technology?

Response:
People learn best when the learning takes place on a need to know basis. By this, I mean that only necessary information or wanted information is truly learned. All other means of intaking information are simply stored as facts or bits of knowledge. True learning exists in a classroom for example when a student sees a problem and requests special information to deal with said problem. In life, when one enters a foreign country, true learning comes about of new languages, cultural norms, etc. as a matter of need to survive.

The purpose of learning theory in educational technology is to serve as a solid foundation. Learning theory is to be the basis of all actions taken in an educational technology environment. Learning theory supports educational technology in that as technology is being utilized to enhance an educational environment, virtual or real, learning theory serves as the scaffold along the way. As new technologies improve the learning/educational environment, learning theory is being proven, tested, and enhanced. As Siemen states, "boundaries are being tested."

Two colleagues whose views I found insightful and interesting are:
http://digitalworldlearning.blogspot.com
http://charlottevaughn.blogspot.com