According to George Seimens, connectivism is the ability to make decisions based on rapidly altering foundations. The components of connectivism seem to operate as small parts of a machine working in unison to power the entire production. The majority of the instructional strategies used in this week’s resources dealt with students interacting with a single goal. The vignette used of Mrs. Smith's class and her introduction of Shakespeare is a great example of social constructivism. Mrs. Smith’s assignment promotes collaboration between a diverse group of students and generates a level of exciting over a topic that she previously struggled to make a connection with her students. All of the students were able to contribute to the project and gain an understanding of the subject.
Dr. Michael Orey discussed the importance of social learning and connecting the gap between the Zone of Proximal Development and the More Knowledge Other. There are when we reach our learning potential and need someone or something to help bridge the gap. Modern technology provides tools that can assist to make these connections. Students can gain this information directly, through various programs, or through the various methods of communication from various forms of technology. Social learning came come from avenues other than technology. Jigsaw excercises allow students to obtain and share knowledge.
The link to my personal vociethread is below.
http://voicethread.com/share/1192090/
Fred
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Fred,
ReplyDeleteI also thought that Mrs. Smith's Shakespeare assignment was a good example of social learning and it provided great information on the positive aspects of social learning. I also really like the jigsaw activity. This year I used it with my students using the internet and they loved it. But more importantly, they really enjoyed sharing what each other learned to come up with the whole puzzle.
-Jessica
Fred,
ReplyDeleteYou brought up the name George Seimens from our videos from this week. I liked what he had to say about the three point rules. One that we explain how learning occurs second allows us to create future models of learning and three help to make scenes of the present. I feel the most important part is the making sense of the present. As teachers we need to be able to communicate to our students by what is going on in today’s life. That is what they know. For my kindergarten students this is all they got, everyday living. If I don't communicate in their language or what they are familiar with, then I lost them.
Jessica,
ReplyDeleteWhat was the basis of the assignment you used for the internet jigsaw? Did you use this as a homework assignment or were you able to complete this assignment at school? I would love to do an internet based assignment, most of mine are generally based around primary sources I print and pass out to the class.
James,
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. As a history teacher, I use the present to emphasize the past. There are many present day situations that can be traced back hundreds and even thousands of years. This theory also allows me to use the present as an analogy for events of the past.