Social Networking

In reviewing the social networking site titled, Classroom 2.0 I became exited about this task :).  I chose this link because I think the most exciting part of this online learning process for me has been the use of the Voice Thread.  I think that it would be such a dynamic way to present information within a classroom on any subject.  It is colorful and exciting and I find it most useful for classroom and network purposes. 
I thought that participation in this group would be useful for me because the network here, as Siemens continued saying, is an opportunity to sharpen my skills.  It seems that teachers on this network are all connected and in turn they are reaching goals that may be unattainable to others without the support of this guiding network. I came across a place to compare and share group projects and I think that if we could get classrooms sharing with other classrooms that this would be a very exciting way of connecting children, essentially on a network (providing them with valuable skills for their future), with other children around the world and sharing learning with everyone.  Siemens did say that Connectivism was a way of knowing how to learn in the world rather than simply in our own heads!!

The Learner of Today...

A learner is like a box of pencils...when you use them, overtime, they get dull.  They constantly need sharpening, just as learners, educators and people need to sharpen their skills.

George Siemen states in his article, Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age,  "Over the last 20 years, technology has reorganized how we live, how we communicate, and how we learn".  He goes on to discuss how learner must be a way of being and he emphasizes the importance of continuing to sharpen your technological skills in order to succeed in this ever changing society of digital networks.  He says that technology is re-wiring our brains and he is right- the tools we use define and shape our thinking.  If we aren't quick to keep up with the technological advances we may find ourselves in a world we know longer recognize.  I am only a young woman and through the multitude of technologies offered today I often find "myself" frustrated, confused and overwhelmed (and I grew up with this technology).  I can only imagine the affect on our students if they aren't educated using the most up- to-date technology.
As I continued through this module I began watching the video titled, The Network is the Learning, and when Siemens said, "What we know today is not as important as our ability to stay current" I immediately stopped and starred at the computer screen.  I began thinking about this idea...really?  Well after comparing the ideas in this video with the ideas presented in the article it all began to make perfect sense.  He's right...it doesn't matter what we know already, but how adaptable we are to know more is most crucial.  Part of this knowing must include networks, the idea that we are all a part of a bigger picture and network seems to support how we continue to function as integral parts of society.  I imagine if we didn't keep up with these growing networks, we may just fade away into the background of the infinite chaos we've created in this world.

A Blog I found Interesting...The Thinking Stick

BLOG---> Advice for Parents in 1:1 Programs
This blog is extremely informative and in a good way.  I found a touching story about a parent facing the dilemma of, "children and technology" on this blog and had to choose this for my post.  The reason this resonated with me is because I have young nieces who are 5 and 9.  They are my everything and we are very close.  I have been with them since they were babies and within the past 3 years they would both rather "face time" chat with me than play a game.  They would rather show me a new game on the i pad then put makeup on dolls or paint each others nails.  I am fascinated with this post because this parent is concerned about her son.  All he wants to do is be on his laptop and at his school they are required to use laptops.  Will kids play with sticks and fight dragons anymore?  Will kids ride bikes and go on adventure hunts anymore? Or will they trade all that in for a new game on the computer?  This idea haunts me and will continue to haunt me until I start seeing children outside playing again.
The response posted by the author of The Thinking Stick was great.  He insisted on this mom remembering that a parent is a parent is a parent.  He reminded her that she makes the rules in her house and with technology should come rules.  Maybe kids will tire of these rules and go roll in the grass again.  A girl can only dream!

Video Reaction + Link

The video I chose to view was titled, "Pay Attention".  This video outlined the different types of learners among all of us.  The Spacial, kinesthetic, verbal, oral etc.  It was a black picture with typed words that scrolled across the screen as familiar music played in the background.  The main idea of this video was to help educators understand that our children live in a multi-modal word, a digital world.  One of the statistics stated that by the age of 2 a child will have had access to computer technology over 2 hrs a day.  Really? Wow!  I agree with the contents of the video and as an educator it seems vital that I rev up my engine in preparation for this digital generation of learners.  I realized through viewing this film that I MUST incorporate as many digital experiences that I can within my classroom or my students will be lost in this den of digital fluff!  Fluff is delicious by the way and digital technology and learning can be too.




BY: Alistair Hart