2 responses:

http://spencervogt.wordpress.com/2014/02/20/module-6-personal-theory-of-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-18

http://amystonoha.wordpress.com/2014/02/19/learning-in-a-digital-world/comment-page-1/#comment-8

Connectivism

Technology has allowed me to have a lot more while fun learning.  More pleasure translates to increased relaxation and greater retention and creativity during the learning experience.  I love watching YouTube videos.  For our 100 point classroom paper, most of my references were video files.  For me, learning in an online environment has allowed me increased flexibility to study in time and locations that work best for my schedule.  Also, learning is easier for me to accomplish due to the increased availability of information. 

Although not a perfected theory, Connectivism excites me, and fits best into my philosophy of learning.  The theory aligns best with the organizational style and complexity processes seen in nature (Siemens 2009, Athabasca University, 2010). The human nervous system works through nerves that connect by nodes, paralleling the organization described in connectivism.  The theory of complex systems, including game theory, articulates that when many different behaviors merge, the outcomes are complex and more unpredictable (TedXTalks, 2011).  As described in Complexity Theory, in complex systems, one cannot accurately predict how entities will form and re-form (Siemens, 2013).  The concept of connectivism attempts to embrace the ideas of complex systems theories, paralleling most accurately the systems seen in nature.  I think that one day we will answer the questions that learning and instructional theory ask simply by measuring learning using future biological and scientific technological processes.  Connectivism is fundamentally different from the other learning theories. 

References:

AthabascaUniversity Connectivism (2010).  Connecting with George Siemens [video file].

            Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gNaOZAjkxg

Siemens, G., & Tittenberger, P. (2009). Handbook of emerging technologies for learning.

            Manitoba,, Canada: University of Manitoba.

TedXTalks (2011). TEDxCanberra - Boho Interactive -  Chaos, complexity, balloons and

            bunnies [video file].  Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bN2N7gqAax0.

Siemens, G. (2013).  Responding to the fragmentation of higher education [video file]. Retrieved

            from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qgntB2YEUI

2 responses

I responded to the following two blogs:

http://daspringsteen.blogspot.com/2014/02/motivation-of-resistant-employees.html?showComment=1391913858892#c7928643672069724781

http://professorfrederick.wordpress.com/2014/02/05/mod-5-learning-and-motivation/comment-page-1/#comment-13

Barriers to Learning Technology

In my medical-legal psychiatric practice, I am developing a medical services organization (MSO) to assist doctors with their administrative tasks involved in conducting their own medical-legal evaluations.  I am implementing the latest technologies, as much as I am able.  Implementation of those technologies has been sluggish.  However, I have simply redoubled my efforts, allowed for a longer time-line, and have developed additional strategies in order to implement the technologies successfully. 

I have found people to be impatient, including myself.  They have not believed that I would be able to apply and utilize the technology in the manner that I have expressed. 

Others have resisted moving forward as evidenced by sighing, asking questions without trying, delaying. I have found people misunderstood what I am intending to do with the technologies. 

Keller (1984) as described by Driscoll (2005) listed four circumstances that need to be present in order for a person to learn with motivation; namely, attention, relevance, confidence and satisfaction. 

To improve others’ motivation to learn about and implement my proposed technologies, I can implement Keller’s philosophies.

First, I will grab their attention, perhaps by showing them how the technology is going to be fun and interesting.   

Then, I can demonstrate how the technology is relevant to their job, and how it will make their job easier.  I can share about the vision of how everyone and everything are going to coordinate more effectively with the proposed technology.

Third, I can give them guidance so that they experience success using the technology, which will build their confidence.

Finally, I will encourage their satisfaction through rapid feedback with their accomplishments!

References:

Driscoll, M. P. (2005). Psychology of learning for instruction (3rd ed.).Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.

2 responses

I responded to the following two blogs:

http://daspringsteen.blogspot.com/

http://professorfrederick.wordpress.com/

Andrea

Connectivism

My networks have helped me learn by providing fast access to various types of information. The digital tools that best facilitate learning for me are audio and visual diagrams.  When I have questions, I conduct an internet search.  I also ask people (face-to-face) a lot of questions. 

Regarding the collaboration assignment, I responded to the following two blogs:

http://adjmcsa52.blogspot.com/2014/01/module-3-collaboration-and-constructive.html?showComment=1389512437078#c5996291506262969211

http://daspringsteen.blogspot.com/2014/01/constructionism-and-collaboration.html?showComment=1389512911808#c2714777904237477081

Collaboration Today and Collaboration in the Past

There has always been a desire and a new for humans to work together, but the way that they work together lately is simply different from they way that they used to work together before.

I do not think Rheingold's application of evolutionary theory was accurate in which he stated that beings have survived and thrived only by the war of competition because he referenced intra-species competition (http://www.ted.com/talks/howard_rheingold_on_collaboration.html). 

Humans have always been interdependent upon one another.  Additionally, evolutionary theory speaks of species surviving and thriving against other species.  So the war in Evolution is not one spinach plant competing against another spinach plant, but rather a spinach plant warring and competing against some other plant that would steal its niche.  So I do not agree with Rheingold's premise at all since he misstates and misapplies evolutionary theory.  

Actually, the way that he speaks of evolution is silly because it was so misapplied.  He ought to have used some other analogy. He speaks of "evolution speeding up" with the development of technologies such as printing presses.  I have not seen any new species arising recently.  I have not seen people developing changes in their biological structures (bodies), so I do not understand at all what he is talking about. 

I think that he is speaking of a cultural development of humankind, not "evolution".  Rheingold spoke that biology was changing to be more collaborative from the "level of the cell".  That is an incredible statement so as to be silly.  I think he is trying to make another point, that of the increased role of collaboration in our society today.  That argument is fine.  But his parallel to structural changes in cells is laughable.  

Of course, a cell amends to accommodate forces applied to it, but a new cell has not developed. It isn't like instead of just, for example, nerve cells and muscle cells we now have nerve cells, muscle cells and the new amazing cell that has come on the scene.  Rather, under pressure of application, a cell adjusts - such adjustment is the normal functioning of cells - not some new cell form or evolutionary being.  

I found his parallel to be so odd and hard to follow that it was difficult to focus on the points he was making regarding social changes. But the point that there seems to be an innate need to collaborate, I agree with that point.  There has always been a desire and a new for humans to work together, but the way that they work together lately is only different from they way that they used to work together before.  

Technology certainly does facilitate collaboration among learners, consistent with constructivist principles.   Humans are dependent on one another and always have been dependent upon one another.  In some ways, people are less dependent on one other than they used to be.  Women now can live independently which was very difficult in the past.  Women have reproductive freedom, do not have to catch their own game to eat, have legal standing in society.  This allows women to be less dependent than they used to be before.  

In the "old days" collaboration looked different.  When women did not have the freedom and opportunities afforded to many women today, men and women would often collaborate to divide up the work of surviving.  The men would often get game and defend the homestead from intruders, and women often stayed in the home and focused on attending more closely to the children, and conducting domestic tasks within the home. With barriers lifted, now collaboration develops in new ways, such as by technology.

Diziol and colleagues (2010), wrote an article describing technology aiding and promoting adaptive collaboration support.  Their report is an example as to how, in today's society, collaboration is finding new outlets and avenues of expression. 

References

Diziol, D., Walker, E., Rummel, N., & Koedinger, K. R. (2010). Using intelligent tutor technology to implement adaptive support for student collaboration.Educational Psychology Review, 22(1), 89-102.