I think the idea of making connections with others is
extremely important and one of the greatest advantageous to using technology in
the classrooms. I know I have been
critical in some posts about how technology is used in classrooms but I think
this reason validates its use more than anything. We are moving towards a global society in
which people will have to be connected to and willing to work with people from
other places. Our classroom cannot be a
bubble in which students are shielded from the rest of the world. We must allow them to make connections and
expand their horizons.
Google scholar is also a great resource that I first learned
about my senior year in high school. It
helps limit your search to things that will actually be helpful and useful in
presenting real, validated research. It
helps you avoid having to read through many pages before finding a scholarly
one that you can actually use. And the
idea of sharing research between students is a great idea. So often I have problems finding helpful
websites but having blogs and other students opinions on what they thought was
useful would be very helpful. Networking
is a great way to provide learning opportunities for the modern classroom.
The personal learning network shown in the video is very interactive and engaging. It
allows students much more freedom and independence in their work. Her learning network is much more
technologically savvy than mine is. I
think some of the programs she shows like the note taking one could be very
helpful. Personally for me it may be
very confusing because of how I am used to doing things. I can barely keep track of my online classes
and they are all on one site. But I know
that the resources are there and I continue to try and use them and become
familiar with them because I know it will be important to know for when I am a
teacher.
Hi David, I was assigned to comment on your blog this week. I thought you made some very good points. I agree that our classrooms should encourage kids to connect with people outside of their small world. There is such an awesome opportunity for students today to connect with people form all over the world. It will broaden their horizons and open doors for endless possibilities for them in life.
ReplyDeleteI also agree about just trying keeping up with the online classes is confusing enough for me. Before this class I knew very little about technology. I have never used google scholar before but will give it a try next time I have to do any research. Good blog!!
Hey David,
ReplyDeleteI think your comments about the Networked Students are right on. I also believe that we can't just limit our students to one classroom. If we can connect them with outside sources, maybe they will find something extraordinary.
Good job David,
Stephen Akins