Learning in a Digital World

I posted to Jennifer Robinson   http://jenniferbethrobinson.blogspot.com 

I posted to Amanda Darling    http://darlingtonsblog.blogspot.com


What impact do you believe technology has on the way you learn?

My educational experience both online and in face-to-face learning environment has affirmed my beliefs that technology incorporated into the curriculum presents a decided different learning experience not only for me but learners of ages.  The on-line experiences has enabled me to examine and align my personal assumptions about learning and instructions using technology, evaluate that knowledge in view of prior learning and examine new personal theories of learning through the use of integrated technology.  Social tools (course management system, social learned networks, instant messaging, wiki sites, podcasts, etc.) have emerged that permit rapid exchange of knowledge and high levels of dialogue (Siemens, 2006, p. 15).  The learning process no matter how obtained is neural (internal).   However, the on-line classroom experience enabled me to create networks of nodes (external) where I can connect and form information knowledge sources to help me stay current and continually acquire, experience, create, and connect new knowledge (p. 29).  This experience using different technologies has exponentially strengthened my resolve to continue to use educational technology for learners of all ages.   One of the many highlights of this experience were being able to collaborate globally (The Caribbean, Abu Dubai, Africa, Egypt, & Israel) with classmates using social learned networks and course management system learning software.

In what ways do you learn differently in an online environment from the way you learned in a face-to-face learning environment?

In a face-to-face learning environment, the challenges of having access to the internet for instant research capability, was not readily available.  Also most classes consisted of lectures with exams at the end to see how much one had retained.  In the online environment, I have the flexibility to engage personally in each assignment.  Most of my learning takes place via research of scholarly material and collaboration with my cohorts in discussion post, on how best to apply the theories and information just learned.  In the face-to-face environment, we seldom had the opportunity to collaborate or discuss material being taught, but was required to learn mostly by repetition of lectured material and required reading.  In the on-line environment, each assignment builds upon a connecting construct (cognitive information processing, situated cognition, schema and mental modes) which allows me to see how the theories relates to other learning modalities (Driscoll, 2005).  I can  then discuss the pros and cons of these theories via Google Docs, wikis, Skype and social networking sites. We had the opportunity to create and maintain wiki space learning environment, portfolio, and blogs to further our understanding of how best to use the knowledge acquired.  I received my Masters (GPA 4.0) and will soon have completed the requirements for my PhD in an on-line learning environment. I recommend it highly to disciplined learners.   

keywords:  on-line learning, technology, social learned networks

References: 

Driscoll, M. P. (2005).  Psychology of learning for instruction, (3rd Ed.).  Boston, MA: Pearson

Siemens, G. (2006). Knowing knowledge. Retrieved from http://www.lulu.com/