Reflection on Bringing Technological Tools to Learners Outside the Classroom
In today’s world of burgeoning technology, learners most commonly have the internet availability, and connection is possible in almost every public place. For the most part, the internet is asynchronous in nature and is based solely on socialization (translate into entertainment).
To bring learning experiences to students, the internet needs to be more than socialization; it needs to be more broadly based into communication and collaboration; more focused on community involvement. The wiki and blog sites are coming into their own identity as community builders. The addition of SKYPE, and like models of F2F communication (commonly Yahoo, MSN Messenger, etc.) make the necessity of building cameras into computer hardware, a necessity.
The graphic below seeks to divide the socialization element and the educational element within the internet, using both synchronous (left side) with asynchronous (right side) environments.
https://docs.google.com/document/edit?id=1NgX_-SrkYsVvZ_SwbtQx7PF3Y8Pb9tZ2EOWkgqLnJ1A&hl=en&authkey=CKri2aEI
To comment on your reflection, I believe the next level of Internet interaction will take place in education. The growth of DE is leading the way. Though postsecondary institutions understand its use in communication, collaboration, and community involvement and are taking full advantage of the Internet, I believe K-12 schools are trailing behind. How do you believe these institutions will take advantage of the Internet in the future as it relates to communication, collaboration, and community involvement?
ReplyDeleteWanda Ardoin-Bailey
Wanda: First of all, thanks for test driving my graphic.
ReplyDeleteAs for your question: I believe that the institutions involved in DE will expand their horizons and incorporate such new technology as Ipads, Kindles, Apple Airpad, B&N Notebooks - and encourage students to become more tech savvy. I would hope that teachers and educators see value in these devices, not only from an economic viewpoint but as tools to be used for students who will eventually use them for their contributions to their communities.
One thing I do not want to see is technology used in place of human contact. I think that technology and human interaction can find a happy blending.
A happy blending is definitely what is needed. I am not sure I want it replaced though. I am an extrovert, and I absolutely love human contact. Communication with you through Skype and others through emails, texting, and phone conversations have helped me a great deal. It has given the contact that I was yearning in this program. DE is great, but not having human contact has been my downfall in this journey. Do you have any suggestions in helping those extroverts succeed with online learning?
ReplyDelete