Group items tagged

This podcast features George Siemens discussing his Connectivism Theory and its relationship to Behaviorism, Cognitivism, and Constructivism.

I like that it was Siemens talking about his theory in comparison to the other big 3 theories. It leaves no room for interpretation when it comes straight from the source itself.

Great resource, nice find!! I was struck by his insight that many education systems serve instruction instead of serving learning. Additionally, his description of the learning process as non linear resonates with me and furthered my understanding connectivism and CoPs. Thanks :)

This is a blog post that elaborates on the idea of learning networks and connectivism. The author provides a graphic of her own learning network, showing professional activities, school, friends & family, internet, and books & articles. She details her search for information (connectivism) and how "the web of information expands." She applies Siemens' theory of connectivism to her own evolution as a learner, illustrating that learning is changing and never stops. Further, informal learning is just as important as formal learning.

This is a great site to get started understanding the benefits of PLN's. In particular, I like the fact that when discussing the benefits of PLN's the author, Education in America, brings up the fact that even though teachers are surrounded by students and colleagues, teaching can be an isolating experience. I've been there, and I know that having a PLN has not only made me feel connected, but also it has helped me share ideas in a more personal way.

I liked the fact that this site recognizes that "teaching can be an isolated profession"! Very interesting article.

I have to agree with the statement in this article about teaching being an isolated profession. I felt that many times and often wished that I had the remedy. In hindsight, I think a better network would have been helpful. Most of my time spent in a traditional classroom setting (face to face instruction) was as a lone teacher in a very small school. A better PLN would have been very helpful.

This article discusses cognitive strategies in CBI. This was a study that looked at 51 students in 3rd grade and looked to see if CBI worked in the given conditions. They studied the students' cognitive strategies. This study found that individual working conditions worked better than dyadic conditions. Children learn at all times, even when they are not engaged by a teacher or other adult.

I found the Nielson report cited in several of the articles I reviewed and decided to check it out. The Nielson report typically cites was published in 2009 and so instead I retrieved a more recent (2011) report on the state of social media. This is a fascinating graphic display of the synthesis and major findings of research on the use of social media both in the United States and globally. This is important as we consider the needs and possibilities of using the connected learning theories reviewed in our reading. The data gathered reflects a continued rise in access of social networks and blogs across a wide variety of demographics. Information such as 4 out of 5 active Internet users now visit SN and blogs cannot be ignored as we consider the impact this has on instructional design and education technology applications.

This article examines the nature of learning communities constructed among a diverse group of adult learners in an online graduate-level 16 week instructional design course. Researchers analyzed course artifacts, survey responses, online profiles and project evaluations to explore communities formed in an online setting that involves 21 international participants. Data was collected through observing recorded audio webcasts and chat discussions, and analysis of student profiles, artifacts, survey responses, and course evaluations. The authors found evidence of community building without significant differences associated with race, culture, or gender. Instead, evidence for community building was more dependent on active participation, forming of shared identify, and the establishment of social network. The course design allowed individuals to work and communicate collaboratively. The authors admit that the study is narrow in scope with a small number of participants, making it unreliable for wider contexts.

In this article that focuses on social networking and learning, Ruth Reynard explores research conducted by The National School Boards Association (USA), in partnership with research firm Grunwald Associates and with the support of Microsoft, Newscorp, and Verizon, published a 2007. The research cited indicates that learning through social networks is mostly "unidirectional (posting messages, downloading media files, updating personal information) and students utilize it as "a self-reflective learning environment." However, the author points out that the researchers also found if instructional design is geared toward "the user controlling the tool rather than the tool dictating the user's activity," learning collaboratively can increase knowledge because the learner becomes actively engaged in the task, rather than passively approaching it.

I really like the message where it says that students become more actively engaged when they control the tool rather than the tool dictating the user's activity. The students then take control of their learning. They map the course they want to take.

this was very interesting - I found myself wondering how much of it was still relevant given its "age." Crazy that 2008 is "old" but social media has changed so much since then!

Literacy, finance, problem solving simulations

Tutorials and simulations

Good resource for Educational software by subject. This is aligned with California Standards.

Looks like amazing potential for history simulation. Wonder what the price is?

Researchers believe that video enhances student motivation and that video use in instruction should be common practice

This article was accessed via login at Boise State Library. The research article is a survey of a small sample of graduate students who indicate that many students are used to using facebook in informal ways, but perceive the potential for acceptable grading and learning outcomes through a facebook format.

This website enable students to take a virtual, self-guided tour the Smithsonian Museum of National History without leaving the classroom. It includes the option to view past exhibits that are no longer displayed. This can be a great way to enrich instruction and allow students to investigate topics of interest.

AT for the visually impaired.