Module 6: Learning in a Digital World
As a student of higher education later in life, I have experience in traditional face to face and distant education. I am both a teacher and a student. I believe it is critical and non negotiable that each child learn in a safe and loving environment. I love Harry Wong’s theory that school is not a place but a concept where students are welcome to learn and enhance the quality of their lives without fear of intimidation or safety for their lives. They should be guided by hospitable and caring teachers in a clean and orderly environment (Wong, 1991). In a face to face environment and in distant education, I feel it is important to incorporate collaboration. Students retain knowledge when they are responsible for their own learning. Students who participate in collaborative learning perform much better on critical- thinking and problem solving skills.
I believe that technology enhances learning in a supportive and non intimidating way. There are many games that develop students’ critical thinking skills and engage learners. It incorporates skills, strategies, and fun together to keep students engaged in learning. Technology also highly motivates students. Technology also supports creative thinking. According to our text students are expected to make choices based on learning goals and self monitoring of the problem-solving processes (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2010). There are so many ways that technology enhances the way we learn. When I take my students to the computer lab, they ask me if they can “play” Education City. Education City is an award-winning online teaching and learning resource that is mapped to our state and common core standards.
Resources:
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., Ertmer, P. (2010). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standard-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
Wong, H., & Wong, R. (1991). The first days of school: How to be an effective teacher. Sunnyvale, CA: Author.
Hi Tracy,
ReplyDeleteI wonder if some education district believes the “loving environment” is an underlying concept that exists, and it is unchangeable as they try to transform schools (K-12) from being a fundamental social system entity to a business model. I believe the agricultural age has embedded the “work” scheduling concept in school, and to go business is to take away from our kids the safety and love that teachers have nurtured in an art form for kids. I like the concept that you have adopted from Wong (1991). But I also wonder why you emphasized this outstanding belief? ‘Collaboration’ might be defined as “to work together in a joint intellectual effort” (American Heritage Dictionary, p. 171), and cooperate’ as “To work together for a common end” (p.192). Collaboration seems to define intellectual development on a precise knowledge building term. There should be intellectual development since cooperative learning’ takes place in groups for the traditional classroom. The fact as you have put it is very clear. “Students retain knowledge when they are responsible for their own learning.” Some sense of responsibility must exist for learning either in Face to Face or by “Connectivism” (Online). Safety in the digital world is a given, but love is a myth.
To believe “technology enhances learning in a supportive and non intimidating way,” requires the building of great interpersonal and Intra personal skills. Social emotional development will help to build those two personality skills, but the question is how does interacting with technology build those personal skills? Technology to the best spin-off motivates for learning, and building critical thinking skills. It is believed that technology is a moderator between the teacher and student. With the high influx and multifaceted technology the teachers’ role changes from the dispenser of knowledge to a director, coach, facilitator and curator. It’s great to know that the choice of the game your students play is aligned to “state and common core standards.”
Great post!
Thanks for reading.
References:
A Laurel Book. (1994). The American Heritage Dictionary (3rd. ed.) Dell Publishers, NY. NY. 10036
Wong, H., & Wong, R. (1991). The first days of school: How to be an effective teacher. Sunnyvale, CA: Author.
Tracy,
ReplyDeleteIsn't it wonderful when our students get excited about learning? Technology allows us to design activities which engage and enthrall our students. Digital learning allows students to perform tasks in a more efficient way, but the true value is that it allows our learners to perform tasks which they could not do prior to technology. Technology helps us to be more effective teacher professionals as it helps our students to develop and perfect the skills which will enable them to be successful in their personal and professional lives. Thank you for sharing Tracy, good post.