A learner is like a bird. Each and every day birds travel throughout the world to different destinations, whether it be looking for food or traveling due to changes of the seasons. There are many different types of birds that exist throughout the world, which can relate to all of the different cultural backgrounds that we encounter. Just as birds are always flying to new destinations, learning takes many different paths as well. With many different forms of technology present a learner will never run out of things to explore. Education has come a long way and is based now on many nontraditional approaches. The generations today have the opportunity to explore and learn through many different technological advances that are becoming prominent methods of learning throughout all classrooms. Siemens (2005) said, "learning is a continual process, lasting for a lifetime." As the years progress, more and more technological advances will be made, and learners will be required to keep up with this continuation of new information. Siemens (2007) has also noted, "It's not just what we know today that is important. It is our ability to stay current as knowledge changes. An average individual now needs to find a way to stay current over the coarse of a lifetime." For example, in classrooms technology is being incorporated more and more into daily curriculum. Many teachers are not familiar with all of the different advances and do not feel comfortable using them. However, for the benefit of our students we as educators need to learn and incorporate the many different forms of technology into our teaching!
References
Siemens, G. (2005). Connectivism: A learning theory for the digital age. International Journal of Instructional technology and distance learning. Retrieved September 12, 2009 from http://www.itdl.org/journal/jan_05/article01/htm.
Siemens, G. (2007). The changing nature of knowledge. Retrieved September
13, 2009 from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMcTHndpzYg&feature=PlayList&p=3E43054A8703F57A&index=0
References
Siemens, G. (2005). Connectivism: A learning theory for the digital age. International Journal of Instructional technology and distance learning. Retrieved September 12, 2009 from http://www.itdl.org/journal/jan_05/article01/htm.
Siemens, G. (2007). The changing nature of knowledge. Retrieved September
13, 2009 from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMcTHndpzYg&feature=PlayList&p=3E43054A8703F57A&index=0
Kristine,
ReplyDeleteJust to add to this analogy, students today have a great deal of freedom over how they choose to learn and are able to. So one might say they are "free as a bird!" I think this is a great analogy, and your rationale is well supported. I agree with what you are saying however that for our students to benefit from this technology we need to use it. This is why I am glad we are learning about web 2.0 tools in this course.
Jennifer
Kristine,
ReplyDeleteI love how you incorporate that there are many different kinds of birds. I agree, this is not only indicative the various cultures and ethnicities which will be represented in our classrooms, but also the diversity of learners. Each bird flies at its own pace and sometimes in directions we cannot understand. But no matter how often, how fast, or where to, that learner is still flying!
Gina
Kristine,
ReplyDeleteJust as birds are travelers who do what they need to do to survive, I feel like with the proper motivation, students will do what they need to do to learn. One of the issues with schooling is that as it is currently taught many students do not have the motivation to learn. However using technology may help increase motivation and make it easier for all to succeed.
Karrie
I loved reading your analogy of the learner today. I agree that learners have a lot of opportunties to explore different ways of learning and that they have a lot more freedom than learners in the past. Good job!
ReplyDeleteI like your blog. Your comparison of a learner to a bird makes sense. Learning does take many different paths, all leading to different places and new ideas.
ReplyDelete