Chapter 4 – Learning in the Collective
Quote: “Our ability to produce, consume, and distribute knowledge in an unlimited, unfiltered, and immediate way is the primary reason for the changes we see today.” I chose this quote because it reinforces the realization I’ve come to in this program: we are teaching the first generation that was born with the Internet and all its ready-made devices available in full force. Consequently, as a society we are still learning about the impacts this has on learning, brain development, and academic ability. I believe it is essential as teachers to embrace this change and learn everything we can about how to best leverage this tool for maximum potential.
Question: What resources exist where specific mathematical lesson plans are available that incorporate being part of a collective?
Connection: In my technology in education course I have been afforded the opportunity to participate as a student in this New Culture of Learning. Formerly, just a visitor of the Internet, I have now advanced and learned the importance of not only viewing and consuming information but also adding one’s own knowledge to the mix. I have been able to publish my work creatively and experience feedback from authentic audiences. I now know first hand the great impact this has on engagement, ownership and intrinsic motivation.
Epiphany/Aha: Being part of a collective - its collection of people, skills and talent - produces a result greater than the sum of its parts.
Quote: “Our ability to produce, consume, and distribute knowledge in an unlimited, unfiltered, and immediate way is the primary reason for the changes we see today.” I chose this quote because it reinforces the realization I’ve come to in this program: we are teaching the first generation that was born with the Internet and all its ready-made devices available in full force. Consequently, as a society we are still learning about the impacts this has on learning, brain development, and academic ability. I believe it is essential as teachers to embrace this change and learn everything we can about how to best leverage this tool for maximum potential.
Question: What resources exist where specific mathematical lesson plans are available that incorporate being part of a collective?
Connection: In my technology in education course I have been afforded the opportunity to participate as a student in this New Culture of Learning. Formerly, just a visitor of the Internet, I have now advanced and learned the importance of not only viewing and consuming information but also adding one’s own knowledge to the mix. I have been able to publish my work creatively and experience feedback from authentic audiences. I now know first hand the great impact this has on engagement, ownership and intrinsic motivation.
Epiphany/Aha: Being part of a collective - its collection of people, skills and talent - produces a result greater than the sum of its parts.
Chapter 5 – The Personal with the Collective
Quote: “Learning in an age of constant change simply never stops.”
Question: What can schools do to alleviate some of the demands on teachers in order to provide time and opportunity for them to participate in collectives and experience first hand the digital opportunities that continue to emerge? Why aren’t there mandatory classes at each grade on digital citizenship, digital footprints, and PLNs in school?
Connection: I related to the discussion on blogging as a personally transformative experience as I am enjoying my experience as a first time blogger. Blogging is a space that is both personal and collective where people can share experience as well as knowledge. I like this idea. Sharing experience in addition to knowledge. It’s more engaging to produce and consume. There is that character of playfulness and personal connection which I think is much more exciting to interact with.
Epiphany/Aha: The Internet is becoming a place where the personal can begin to meet the collective in meaningful way. Technology has made connecting personal interests to collectives possible, easy and fun because people are inspired to think past the boundaries and limitations of their current situation.
Quote: “Learning in an age of constant change simply never stops.”
Question: What can schools do to alleviate some of the demands on teachers in order to provide time and opportunity for them to participate in collectives and experience first hand the digital opportunities that continue to emerge? Why aren’t there mandatory classes at each grade on digital citizenship, digital footprints, and PLNs in school?
Connection: I related to the discussion on blogging as a personally transformative experience as I am enjoying my experience as a first time blogger. Blogging is a space that is both personal and collective where people can share experience as well as knowledge. I like this idea. Sharing experience in addition to knowledge. It’s more engaging to produce and consume. There is that character of playfulness and personal connection which I think is much more exciting to interact with.
Epiphany/Aha: The Internet is becoming a place where the personal can begin to meet the collective in meaningful way. Technology has made connecting personal interests to collectives possible, easy and fun because people are inspired to think past the boundaries and limitations of their current situation.
Chapter 6 – We Know More Than We Can Say
Quote: “The twenty-first century, however, belongs to the tacit. In the digital world, we learn by doing, watching and experiencing.” I chose this quote, as it is something I believe to be true and also something I need to be mindful of when planning lessons. The more I can find hands-on, challenging tasks related to student interests, the more students will be able to absorb information through personal experience.
Question: How can we measure one’s level of tacit knowledge?
Connection: I related to this chapter to my experience as a first time Twitter user. Prior to this course, I couldn’t understand all the hype about Twitter and I even remember googling “what is a hashtag used for?” at one point. But even after watching and reading explanations, I did fully understand the concept. After becoming an active participant (using Tweetdeck and participating in Twitter chats), however, I quickly became aware of the powerful collaborative professional community that exists in the Twittersphere. My personal experience allowed me to understand the concept to a much deeper level.
Epiphany/Aha: Learning to modify/re-phrase questions to set up for an inquiry-based lesson creates a motivation to learn and provides a set of constraints that make the learning meaningful.
Quote: “The twenty-first century, however, belongs to the tacit. In the digital world, we learn by doing, watching and experiencing.” I chose this quote, as it is something I believe to be true and also something I need to be mindful of when planning lessons. The more I can find hands-on, challenging tasks related to student interests, the more students will be able to absorb information through personal experience.
Question: How can we measure one’s level of tacit knowledge?
Connection: I related to this chapter to my experience as a first time Twitter user. Prior to this course, I couldn’t understand all the hype about Twitter and I even remember googling “what is a hashtag used for?” at one point. But even after watching and reading explanations, I did fully understand the concept. After becoming an active participant (using Tweetdeck and participating in Twitter chats), however, I quickly became aware of the powerful collaborative professional community that exists in the Twittersphere. My personal experience allowed me to understand the concept to a much deeper level.
Epiphany/Aha: Learning to modify/re-phrase questions to set up for an inquiry-based lesson creates a motivation to learn and provides a set of constraints that make the learning meaningful.