Skip to main content

Home/ Radney's Business Group/ Group items tagged teaching

Rss Feed Group items tagged

J.Randolph Radney

Teaching in Social and Technological Networks « Connectivism - 0 views

  • Technological networks have transformed prominent businesses sectors: music, television, financial, manufacturing. Social networks, driven by technological networks, have similarly transformed communication, news, and personal interactions. Education sits at the social/technological nexus of change – primed for dramatic transformative change. In recent posts, I’ve argued for needed systemic innovation. I’d like focus more specifically on how teaching is impacted by social and technological networks.
  • social and technological networks subvert the classroom-based role of the teacher. Networks thin classroom walls. Experts are no longer “out there” or “over there”. Skype brings anyone, from anywhere, into a classroom. Students are not confined to interacting with only the ideas of a researcher or theorist. Instead, a student can interact directly with researchers through Twitter, blogs, Facebook, and listservs. The largely unitary voice of the traditional teacher is fragmented by the limitless conversation opportunities available in networks. When learners have control of the tools of conversation, they also control the conversations in which they choose to engage.
  • Course content is similarly fragmented. The textbook is now augmented with YouTube videos, online articles, simulations, Second Life builds, virtual museums, Diigo content trails, StumpleUpon reflections, and so on.
  • ...14 more annotations...
  • Thoughts, ideas, or messages that the teacher amplifies will generally have a greater probability of being seen by course participants.
  • The following are roles teacher play in networked learning environments: 1. Amplifying 2. Curating 3. Wayfinding and socially-driven sensemaking 4. Aggregating 5. Filtering 6. Modelling 7. Persistent presence
  • Views of teaching, of learner roles, of literacies, of expertise, of control, and of pedagogy are knotted together. Untying one requires untying the entire model.
  • Fortunately, the experience of wayfinding is now augmented by social systems.
  • I found my way through personal trial and error. Today’s social web is no different – we find our way through active exploration. Designers can aid the wayfinding process through consistency of design and functionality across various tools, but ultimately, it is the responsibility of the individual to click/fail/recoup and continue.
  • The curator, in a learning context, arranges key elements of a subject in such a manner that learners will “bump into” them throughout the course. Instead of explicitly stating “you must know this”, the curator includes critical course concepts in her dialogue with learners, her comments on blog posts, her in-class discussions, and in her personal reflections.
  • Sensemaking in complex environments is a social process.
  • Perhaps we need to spend more time in information abundant environments before we turn to aggregation as a means of making sense of the landscape.
  • magine a course where the fragmented conversations and content are analyzed (monitored) through a similar service. Instead of creating a structure of the course in advance of the students starting (the current model), course structure emerges through numerous fragmented interactions. “Intelligence” is applied after the content and interactions start, not before.
  • Aggregation should do the same – reveal the content and conversation structure of the course as it unfolds, rather than defining it in advance.
  • Filtering resources is an important educator role, but as noted already, effective filtering can be done through a combination of wayfinding, social sensemaking, and aggregation. But expertise still matters. Educators often have years or decades of experience in a field. As such, they are familiar with many of the concepts, pitfalls, confusions, and distractions that learners are likely to encounter.
  • To teach is to model and to demonstrate. To learn is to practice and to reflect.”
  • Apprenticeship learning models are among the most effective in attending to the full breadth of learning.
  • Without an online identity, you can’t connect with others – to know and be known. I don’t think I’m overstating the importance of have a presence in order to participate in networks. To teach well in networks – to weave a narrative of coherence with learners – requires a point of presence. As a course progresses, the teacher provides summary comments, synthesizes discussions, provides critical perspectives, and directs learners to resources they may not have encountered before.
  •  
    Here are some additional thoughts that relate to my teaching approach in courses.
J.Randolph Radney

Weblogg-ed - 1 views

  • Description: The next ten years promise to be hugely disruptive for the traditional idea of school as more and more alternative learning platforms are created and expanded.
  • Our generation faces a…radically new, design challenge. We are dealing with a mature, stable system of education designed to adapt to gradual change, but ill-suited to embrace radical change.
  • What does this new design look like? What are the big questions regarding learning, teaching and schooling that we need to begin to address?
  • ...3 more annotations...
  • One of my favorite things that Sheryl says when she talks about the challenges that schools face right now is that this generation of kids in our schools is the first not to have a choice about technology.
  • One of my favorite things that Sheryl says when she talks about the challenges that schools face right now is that this generation of kids in our schools is the first not to have a choice about technology.
  • As a parent right now, I would gladly give up a lot of the “knowing” that my kids are doing, a lot of the content that’s being crammed in their heads, in exchange for time spent on what learning can be at a time when they have 2 billion potential teachers at their fingertips.
  •  
    Hey Everyone! Just testing the tools on Diigo. Don't feel the need to read....
J.Randolph Radney

TeachPaperless: 10 Ways to Help Students Ask Better Questions - 1 views

  • The points students bring up are thought-provoking. However, I'm most impressed by the questions they ask one another. They clarify and ask follow-up questions. They make inferences. They ask connecting questions and critical thinking questions. It's a messy process, but it's beautiful messy. It's art.
  • As long as a question is respectful, I want students to question their world. This applies to analyzing mathematical processes, thinking through social issues, making sense out of a text or analyzing the natural world for cause and effect.
  • I require students to ask questions before, during and after reading.
  • ...7 more annotations...
  • Three times a week, we do inquiry days, where students begin with their own question in either social studies or science and they research it, summarize it and then ask further questions. While my initial goal involved teaching bias, loaded language and summarization, I soon realized that students were growing the most in their ability to ask critical thinking questions.
  • Feedback on questions: I highlight their questions in Google Docs and leave comments on their blogs with very specific feedback.
  • Sometimes I'll ask a really lame question and then say, "Someone tell my why that question sucked?" or I'll ask a deeper question and say, "Why was that a hard question to answer?" The goal is to get them to see deeper questions and to also think about why a question is deep or shallow.
  • Some students have a really hard time with questioning strategies.
  • I teach students about inquiry, clarifying, critical thinking and inference questioning.
  • Students sometimes ask me questions. Other times they ask partners or small group questions. Still other times they ask the questions to the whole class.
  • Technology allows students to take their time in crafting a question while having access to the questions of their peers.
Jovan Gill

what is yoga? types of yoga, videos & more | lululemon athletica - 2 views

shared by Jovan Gill on 03 Dec 10 - No Cached
  • Yoga energizes our bodies and calms our minds.
    • Jovan Gill
       
      This simple statement is very powerful. By claiming that yoga energizes our bodies and clams our minds will appeal to many people, as everyone wants peace of mind and an energized body.
  • yoga quickguide
    • Jovan Gill
       
      A quick and easy description of the different types of yoga is a definite attraction. One doesn't have to read the complete pararaphs below to get small description about the various types of yoga. One can also find out what types they are interested in and then read in further detail about those certain types.
    • Jovan Gill
       
      The video showcases a certain type of yoga, which catches the eye and appeal of those watching. If you watch some of the video you can't help but wonder what it would be like to try antigravity yoga, and how much a hammock could make a diffeerence in your stretching compared to just the sterotypical on the ground yoga.
  • ...9 more annotations...
  • This practice is very athletic and made up of six vigorous series of postures
    • Jovan Gill
       
      This type of yoga attracts those who are looking for a high intensity workout, and maybe did not expect that yoga could be a very athletic activity.By putting very athletic and vigourous in the same sentence a picture of a tough but appealing activity comes to mind, well appealing for those who want a intense workout.
  • Heads up - humidity is 40% and will knock you over the first time.
    • Jovan Gill
       
      By saying that the humdity will knock you out the first time, the reader knows that this type of yoga is not for those who are looking for a leisurely activity. It attracts those to it by clearly saying "Heads up", which implies an important point that should likely not be missed.
  • By adding heat it is said that classes will help you lose weight, loosen your muscles (by adding increased range of motion) and improve your cardiovascular system.
    • Jovan Gill
       
      By simply adding heat to yoga, so much more is achieved from exercises. Many people do yoga in order to lose weight, and by adding heat that goal can be achieved all the much easier.
  • Don't be surprised if your waving your hands like you just don't care or laughing uncontrollably, this practice is intended to wake up the kundalini energy coiled at the base of your spine while activating chakras (energetic centers in the body), as well as detox the body and mind.
    • Jovan Gill
       
      This paragraph gives a different aspect of yoga that most people don't think about. "Laughing uncontrollably" and "waving your hands like you just don't care" imply a fun and energetic workout, which attracts anyone that wants to have a good time. It's a great thing that kundalini yoga awakens the energy coiled up at the base of your spine. So you get energized and receive a detoxification of the body and mind.
  • Remember: your body is your best guide. You don't have to stick to one kind of yoga, just do what your body needs!
    • Jovan Gill
       
      This sentence relieves any tension or stress one may feel when they are thinking about taking up yoga. It tells the reader that if you don't feel right about doing a certain type of yoga, try a different kind. There is no pressure to keep up with the same type of yoga if your body doesn't feel right doing it. This lessens the anxiety most people feel when they are considering taking up a new activity.
    • Jovan Gill
       
      In this picture a sense of community is felt. The many legs with black yoga pants on top of the colourful yoga mats with a sunset in the background give a sense of happiness and belonging. Everyone is doing the same pose which shows that anyone can do yoga. Since only legs are shown and no faces or bodies, it implies that it doesn't matter what race, age, sex or athletic ability you are, anyone can participate in yoga and become a part of a community while getting healthier.
    • Jovan Gill
       
      In this picture the bright colours of the woman's clothing and the prop that is helping her with her yoga poses immediately grabs the attention of the reader. Her closed eyes imply a relaxed state, which shows that props help enhance a peace of mind and serenity.
    • Jovan Gill
       
      The lush green field with the three people doing a sun salutation makes most people want to be there and do yoga. The bright sunlight in the video, with a luscious green field act as a open invitation to those who want to practice yoga. And in this video they are teaching the perfect exercise for that scenery, the sun salutation.
    • Jovan Gill
       
      The light pink/peachish colour brings the readers attention to this quote. On a page that is full of black text on a white background our eyes are drawn to the saying which sticks out like a sore thumb on the web page. Also the swirly type text pulls in the reader, since the rest of the page has a standard text that is easy to read but not nearly as appealing. This quote changes everytime one opens the page, and it is also a part of the lululemon manifesto. These quotes appear on many pages of the site, and they are the attention grabing text on every page.
J.Randolph Radney

Big Conversations For Schools - 0 views

  •  
    Will Richardson is asking for us to identify our top 10 choices of questions that need to be addressed in education as technological changes affect our society. Please help.
1 - 9 of 9
Showing 20 items per page