Seimen's Connectivism view

1. A number of authors contest Siemens' ideas. It is unsettling to be challenged about existing perceptions of "knowing", in particular, the lack of purpose in asking our students to KNOW and be able to RECALL what they know in assessment. Do you agree with them?Can you see Siemen's point of view? What is your position?
2. Give an example of ways in which you could use this theory in your classroom/learning context?

My initial reaction to this view is: This seems to place Teachers in an awkward position, are they really needed if all a student needs to know is how to find information? How does this work in younger grades? Imagine if this was how learners learnt all their schooling years. Is there purpose in the physical classroom?

After listening to the video, I tend to think that there is a place for this type of learning in the classroom. However, not all of the time. Networking and essentially socialising and collaborating on a task or subject using 1) Scholarly texts 2)Peers and 3) Professionals. It's almost like a research assignment? ICT's seem ESSENTIAL in this!

Like I mentioned a research assignment would be a perfect example of how this can be used. With Learning Manager's supervision; Learners can use the internet to access scholarly texts, interact with peers and even contact professionals about the topic.

Prensky's Engage or Enrage

1. What is your belief and understanding of the nature of today's learners? Is there substance to the "engage or enrage" argument?

Prensky begins his article by indentifying 3 types of learners: Self motivated, 'go through the motions' and 'tune us out'. As a future Learning Manage, I can see the truth in these descriptions. You will always get the Learners who are: truly keen to learn-because they want to, going through the motions because they have little choice and uninterested entirely in what we have to say. I guess the question is, do these types of learners exist because we are not teaching them the way they need to be? Is this our fault?

The previous readings about learning styles and multiple intelligences suggest that every student is an individual and should be taught as such. However, Prenksy seem to say that all students are Digital learners and that us 'oldies' should adapt to that if we want to find success in the classroom. Is that so?

In Thrupps paper, it suggests that the involvement of ICT's in the classroom can cause more problems than solutions to the engagement issue. According to the paper, there are different types of ICT learners and that not all learners will benefit from an wholly ICT classroom. So, it basicly suggests that Prenskys claim that Native Born ICT users should be taught through the use of ICT's isn't entirely true.

So how do we teach our learners?

I do believe that if you do not engage a student in the learning process-you are wasting your time. Which is generally what Prenksy was saying.

Multiple Intelligences

1. How would you use this information to inform your learning design?

I am equally Body, World, Music and Number Smart. I am Myself Smart more than anything else and People, Picture and Nature smart least.

This learner seems to learn well with Words and Numbers. I would maybe also say that they work better by themselves? I would suggest that this learner would benefit more from reading and listening individually rather than group activities.

The purpose of these Multiple Intelligences is to find learner's own talent spots. Once their talents have been found, the Learning Managers should harness that knowledge by presenting learning experiences that are delivered in ways that these talents be used. I guess, Learners are more engaged if they are able to do something they are good and successful at.

My Learning Style

 Results for: Emily Paskins


      ACT                          X                        REF
           11  9   7   5   3   1   1   3   5   7   9   11
                              <-- -->

      SEN                              X                    INT
           11  9   7   5   3   1   1   3   5   7   9   11
                              <-- -->

      VIS                      X                            VRB
           11  9   7   5   3   1   1   3   5   7   9   11
                              <-- -->

      SEQ                      X                            GLO
           11  9   7   5   3   1   1   3   5   7   9   11
                              <-- -->

http://www.engr.ncsu.edu/learningstyles/ilsweb.html

These are my results from the Learning Styles quiz.
By looking at these results I would say that I am fairly "balanced" between the two discriptions.
The only one I actually charted to one side in particular was on the "Sensing and Intuitive" scale in which I am more intuitive.

1. What is your learning style? What sorts of learning experiences would suit you best with your learning style?

If this were the results of a learner in a classroom, I would say that the Learning Manager had a diverse range of delivery methods to choose from.

1. In a traditional classroom of 25 students, how would you support the range of learning styles each lesson?

Provide a different learning experience for each learning style and incorporate that into one.
E.g. Active learners may enjoy a roleplay situation where the learners can enact some new information to "try it out", Reflective learners may enjoy watching the roleplay and listening to the discussions going on about the new information. Both learners may be able to, in the end, discuss the information together?

Knowing that some learners will benefit from certain activities and designing your learning experience to incorporate those activites...even if they are complete opposites.

1. With your current knowledge of ICT, how could your design and digital pedagogy support your learners better?

It will provide for different learning styles with the vast array of resources available. The design process will allow for Learning Managers to 'sift through' these resources and choose those best to engage the learning process.

1. What sorts of profiling questions would you be asking about your learners to ensure you cater for everyone's preferences?

I guess the sensible question is: How do my learners learn best?
Is it possible to get all students to do this test? I mean, is that something that is possible? Is this test reliable?

1. How does ICT support differences in learning styles?

Like I mentioned before, there are so many resources that we can use to explore different subjects.
These resources come in different forms. The resources can be suited for all different learning styles.