Connectivism Reflection

How has your network changed the way you learn?

My network has changed the way I learn because I am able to use it to assist me in solving problems or answering questions. Many times I can go to co-workers, graduate students/instructors, or family to help me with a problem I am having. These people in my network also help me answer questions I have or give me new ideas.  Using my network has allowed me to move away from always coming up with ideas on my own, to borrowing some ideas from others.

Which digital tools best facilitate learning for you?

The digital tools that I use most frequently to facilitate learning are blogs, web pages, RSS feeds, podcasts, and online discussions. While trying to propel learning for myself I might “google it” and use a web page to help. I could also discuss it with my graduate student peers on online discussion boards. Podcasts are also available to us through Walden, and these assist with learning course material, through a verbal learning method.  Finally the newest method of learning, for me, is blogs and RSS feeds. I use these digital tools to learn about real-life problems other teachers are having, and then also how to solve those problems.  When choosing blogs to add to my RSS feed, I tried to pick according to which blogs would provide me with the most useful ideas and discussions.

How do you gain new knowledge when you have questions?

When I have questions to gain new knowledge I use both the people in my network and the digital tools. If I am having trouble teaching first graders the difference between b and d, I might use a variety of methods

1.       Go to their homeroom teacher, ask how she does it, and if it seems to work for this child.

2.       Go to their previous teacher, ask how she does it.

3.       Ask other K and 1^st grade teachers for ideas.

4.       Post a blog about this issue and read through responses.

5.       “Google it”

In what ways does your personal learning network support or refute the central tenets of connectivism?

My personal learning network supports the central tenets of connectivism. I feel that this is true because “with connectivism there is that emphasis on the social dimensions” (Siemens, Connectivism). A majority of my network is socially dependent, from speaking with family, to reading blogs, I am learning socially.

Siemens, G. (n.d.). Connectivism. Los Angeles: Laureate Education, Inc. Podcast retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com