Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Wendy Drexler- The Networked Student

The Networked Student video
I watched the video by Wendy Drexler The Networked Student The Networked Student and I really thought it was a very creative way to express the idea of mostly using the Internet for learning. The speaker explains that a student learns a thing called "Connectivism" by only attending class a few days of the week and only doing work for it online. The class does not have a book. Instead, each student creates their own PLN and the teacher guides them as to what sources are the best to use, how to respectfully ask advice from other scholars or experts, and how to share, create, and validate information on any subject.
I think the teacher is a very important figure in the life of a networked student, but not in the way teachers are used to being needed. Instead of needing to create homework and ways to find and prove knowledge of a subject, the teachers of networked students will need to help their students navigate through the Internet finding useful information on a subject and prove their understanding of it by creating and sharing it with people all over the world! Instead of being judged/tested by one teacher, the students will be judged/tested by the world; so I'm thinking each student may want what they write about to be correct and informed.
I am trying to learn how to be a networked student myself because I know it is very important to be prepared for this when I have my own networking students.

3 comments:

  1. Hi Dillon,

    Thank you for the comment on the video and your questions about accommodations for special ed students. I'm actually seeing positive results with lower functioning students in the 7th grade class I'm currently researching. Struggling students are engaged, they respond well to visual content such as images and videos, and they are free to access the content that is easiest for them to comprehend. On the other hand, they may require more individual attention. Networked learning really allows students to work at their own pace and level. Of course, this does not address blind students or those who would not otherwise be able to use a computer in the traditional sense. There are, however, adaptive computer products available for these students if needed and supported by the school.

    Best,
    Wendy

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  2. I agree with you about how we as future educators need to learn how to become networked now in order to help our future students.

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  3. What can I say? Mrs. Drexler responds directly to you. How exciting this networked learning is. So its not a teacher. It's lots of teachers.

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