Blog Assignment #7

The Networked Student

Wendy Drexler's, ""The Networked Student," is an amazing video that shows some of the things that technology can do. The video is about Mrs. Drexler's actual high school class. They go to school three days a week, and are online for two. In the video, the students are being taught a lot of the same things we're doing in EDM310. The type of learning these students are experiencing are called, connectivism. Connectivism is learning from social connections and ties. is The network is a learning tool students can use as opposed to listening to endless lectures. The students read other blogs, comment on them, and create their own blog just like we do. They also use websites like Delicious and Google Scholar.

In the video the question, "why do we even need a teacher?" arises. I can answer that question very easily. Teachers are so much more than just a person to stand there and lecture. Teachers are role models, mentors, counselors, and many more things. Being a "networked student" does help you become a more efficient learner on your own, but a teacher is still there to guide students, and help them with any problems that may occur.

This video is very informative, it shows different ways networking can enhance learning. Networking allows students to broaden their learning experience by connecting them with other students all over the world. It shows similar things to what we are learning in EDM310, and I also believe this is what all teaching will be like in the future.

A 7th Grader's Personal Learning Environment

In the video, "A 7th Grader's Personal Learning Environment," a 7th grade student is learning in a way that coincides with EDM310. The first thing that I noticed is that she is extremely organized, and seems very intelligent for a 7th grader. Like her, we're using google docs for assignments. This type of learning gives students freedom, while keeping them grounded with timelines. Even thought I have not yet set up my PLN, I plan to use Symbaloo just like she did!