Reflective Post #4: Collective Intelligence and Personal Learning Environments

Collective Intelligence: What it could mean for Education

     Bullock starts by saying that we tend to teach on how we were taught while growing up, according to the social patterns.  Tyack and Tobin referrer to this as "grammar of schooling." Wiki's, blogs, and social networking have the potential to drive a powerful educational reform of improving students’ quality of learning in the classroom.  Bullock makes a reference on digital immigrants and digital natives.  "I find the distinction between digital natives and digital immigrants unproductive at best, and ageist at worst." He states the reason for this is that the faculty uses Facebook, Twitter, blogs, or instant messaging to help organize one’s personal life, which can cause a lack of engaging the student in learning opportunities.  Creating a blog to share one’s personal life is different from working with others to share and create knowledge. However, there is radical change, referred to as "Web 2.0".  Bullock states, "that humanity is in the midst of a period of major social innovation as a result of the digital technologies often grouped together as Web 2.0."  Society of all ages is able to communicate, socialize, and share experiences.  There are four types if interaction that people use for social interactions; sharing, co-operation, collective production, and collective action. “Traditionally, the education system in North America has been geared toward individual achievement and the completion of individual tasks," states Bullock.  There have been failed attempts to change in education. Jigsaw-group work and co-operative learning were attempted in the schools but the overall consent to these strategies were disagreed on.

How Collective Intelligence Redefines Education 

     Ilon begins by saying, "Google, Linex, Wikipedia and numerous user help centers are accessed constantly as learning tools throughout the world – in business, civic life, government, social circles, religious communities, home life and personal growth. Some schools even allow their access." But their overall effectiveness isn't used as a learning tool, it is used to find the information.  The reason why these tools aren't used for teaching is that many teachers are receiving the training or technical skills.  Ilon goes on to mention that change doesn't need to start with the educators, but with the over view of the system change, or the culture of education.      "Formal education systems were designed to give people the knowledge and skills

that they could not obtain in their everyday environments" (Ilon, 3).  It is said that knowledge passed down was from educated adults, who had all the expert knowledge.  Functional education systems were also adopted.  This is when a set of guided lines and procedures were adopted by a central government and were passed down the line to the educators.  Schools were to be controlled by the government because people were afraid that companies would control schools, and be more worried about a profit rather than a social development of a student.  Knowledge can be found, tested, and mastered.  It can be found in textbooks and websites, and it is highly respected when mastered.  "Thus, collective intelligence cannot create knowledge unless the people behind that system are fully vetted as experts" (Ilon, 3).

    "Outcome Defined" is another major characteristic in formal education.  This can only be mastered, and success rated, on a standardized test.  Facts are used in these tests, and facts prove to be knowledge. "An efficient educational system finds ways of delivering educational content for lower costs without deteriorating test scores or serving fewer children" (Ilon, 4). It does not lead to higher test scores, it only leads to different way to teach skills on more creative and time management budget.  A main problem that Ilon stated has to do with "underlying economics." If the schools take a second and look at the students’ primary learning rather than test scores, there is a possibility that the school is doing well after all.  Value is being created all through our society.  Things are getting easier to obtain because many wants on are on the internet. "The chance to improve our lives through e-government, social networks, medical data files, email, global news networks reminds us that the word ‘industry’ is outmoded to capture where value is created” (Ilon, 10).  If the government can run and serve our economy better by placing services on the internet instead of opening offices, they are offering a better value by doing this.  

7 things you should know about... Personal Learning Environments

     Personnel Learning environments are also known as "PLE"; services the individual needs.  The individual needs are self directed learning targets and educational goals.  A typical "PLE" student is leaner-centric, might incorporate blogs, and their ideas may be drawn from experiences on the web.  Universities such as University of Mary Washington in Virginia, Penn State, Baylor University and University of British Columbia offer housing where students can use PLEs to share and return too.  These universities provide a framework for the student body to use.   A desktop applicator or a web based service can be used to collect the students’ workings and social contacts. To every positive, there is always a negative.  The downsides to PLEs is that they are still very young and new to education.  The student must be extremely self driven, and as the article mentioned, the student must be mature.  Another tough challenge for PLE is the reflection of tools and learning processes that best serve themselves.  PLEs will force the student to reflect on their learning targets more, and that will turn out a student who will have a more engaged and deeper understand for content that they are learning.  

An example of a PLE by a 7th grade student

     The student had her PLE organized, with her blogs and Facebook account across the top and her school icons on the bottom.  When she enters the class, she will check out her science agenda to see what is going to happen during the day.  There are videos to watch, other assignments to complete, but she decides what she can do.  For her writing assignments, she publishes the work on Google Docs so everybody can see it. She uses a note taking strategy that helps keep track of all of the information on the internet; since there is a large amount of information, her note taking also keeps track of where she found the information.  The student has emailed professors asking them to give her a peer review on her projects and also has used Skype to ask scientists questions.  

Reflection

     Bullock stated in the 2nd to last paragraph that internally motivated me.  He stated, "Teacher educators have a golden opportunity to disrupt the effects of mass acculturation through traditional schooling by using digital technologies that are likely to contribute to collective intelligence."  Now is the time that technology can be used in the schools, because the large student mass have the abilities and knowledge to accept it as the part of the classroom.  Since Bullock stated, "we tend to teach as we were taught according to familiar cultural patterns", it only seems fair that we teaching using technology, so that the future educators will teach the way they are taught. 

     Ilon stated, "Thus, collective intelligence cannot create knowledge unless the people behind that system are fully vetted as experts."  I disagree with this; you can have high knowledge on a topic and you don't have to be an expert.  For example, my nieces love their American Girl Dolls; are they experts? No, but she does know everything about them.  So she can still create knowledge on a topic that she isn't an expert in.  I love the concepts of PLEs.  It will force the student to take a more active role in their education because they have to reflect on their learning.  Using PLEs also forces the students to utilize blogs, social networks, links, and web tools to locate all of the information on the web.

   My reflection and opinion towards the example of the PLE from a 7th grade student really changed when she said she feels more responsible because she knows that there is so much information and resources on the internet, that she can choose when and how to do an assignment. 

Reflective Post #3

Reconsidering Research on Learning from Media

As I began to read the article, it mentioned that learning needs to be enhanced.  Learning will be enhanced with the proper mix of medium, student, subject matter  content, and learning task.  That is still talked about in schools today.  Differentiated instruction, data proven assessments,  and ability grouping are used to enhance student learning.  A study was performed, called "media selection".  In this study, the same topic was taught, but with different media.  After the students were evaluated, it was concluded that the media presentation does not have an effect on the learning under any outcomes.  In the 1960s, Lumsdaine and others used television and computers to present new information, and the results reached few conclusions, one being that media would reduce the cost of instruction. The "box score versus the Effect Size" seemed to be inconclusive because of the large difference of the content being taught, and wearing off of the novelty of media.  The article continued to say that different teachers can give different media, depending on their topics.  For example, there is better media for science rather than ELA.  The same goes for social studies; it has a more interesting media catalog than math.  Clarke continued to state that the more attention from the students and if effective media was presented in the school, results and effort would rise.  But again the novelty would wear off and students' effort and attention to detail would soon diminish.  A research of caution was stated in the article; "Five decades of research suggest that there are learning benefits to be gained from employing different media in instruction, regardless of their obviously attractive features or advertised superiority." Obviously media has changed dramatically, but five decades of research is a lot of time and information to find an answer to questions.  In conclusion, the reading states that media has worked to lessen student anxiety, because they will be able to listen to the lecture or lesson again to successfully gain the knowledge that was presented in class.

Reflection:
I tend to agree that media can be a distraction in the classroom.  Anytime you say "movie", students get excited and think it is party time, when in all seriousness it is not.  I will show movies for social studies, and I always follow the movie with a short assessment to see what the students gained from the movie.  The students usually don't gain much from it because they are distracted with the wide screen, and darkness of the room.

Learning with Media
Media can be defined by its technology, symbol systems, and processing capabilities.  (Kozma, 3) Technology is the shape, function, electronically aspects that make up the machine.   The most common learning tool in the school is the book. Books can use words and pictures to help give the reader knowledge.  Learning with text involves two mental representations text-base and situation model.  Text base is the representation of the directly from the text.  A situation model is a mental representation described by the text.  Situation model and text-base connect with appearing early in text to promote long term learning, called, schemata.   One of the four studies where done to examine comprehension and learning with text and pictures. Using both facilitates text-base and the metal picture.  A fourth grade class was tested, and there was better retention for both poor and good readers when text and pictures were placed to together to retained on the topic tested on.  It all also said good readers would only look at the pictures before they started to read, while the poor readers would stop reading and look back at the pictures.  It is said that poor readers would go back to look at the pictures to decode what certain words meant in the reading.  Popular notions were told that when kids watch TV, they sit there like zombies, they usually look away many of times but still have the understand on what is going on.  The child attention is drawn to the TV because of many factors.  These factors are different voices, laughing, sound effects, or visual movement. Besides TVs we can learn with computers.   Computers let us connect what we are learning with real life lessons.  We can type into the computer and it would then read to us what we typed. Graphs, numerical values, or equations can be put into a computer and have it relate to our lives.  The last learning tool is, multimedia.  There is little research because most of the work is done to develop it and it is still evolving around us.  There is no goal on to which media is better served in the classroom, it is done to decide which media better serves your class an effective educational tool.

Reflection
Media can plan an important role in the classroom if it is done right.  Too much media can over-whelm a student, therefor the student has trouble connecting what he or she has just learned. Zoma mentioned, "certain media, possess particular characteristics that make them both more and less suitable for the accomplishment of certain kinds of learning tasks.” Media can make a connection to what we just learned in Social Studies, so the students are able to visualize it more, on the other hand, if we use Khan Academy for a math lesson, it could confuse the student even more, on how to work a problem out. We have to able to connect what we are reading about in a book to some sort of media to connect that gap of low and high learners.  Media is that bridge that can connect it.  Even if it is a short clip, as long as students can connect what we are learning in class to what is being shown on the smart board, we have educated a students.

Redefining Equity: Meaningful Uses of Technology in Learning Environments
A supportive learning community plays a large roll in the engagement of the students learning, design and reflection.  There are many challenges in the school, lack of technology tools, outdated equipment, or resistance to make change.  There is an idea, that groups don't view technology as a learning tool, rather than as an educational tool.  As a result these groups are not often encouraged to use the digital software as a learning tool.  People who don't have the accessibility to technology can go to the nearby Community Technology Center and attend the a "Computer Clubhouse Model".  This is a after school program offered to under-served youth to explore their own interests, become confident learners, and development technological advances.  These clubs want to ensure technological  equality for everybody to enjoy and explore technology.

Reflection
This was my favorite article by far, it is great to hear that communities are coming together to help serve the youth and their technological needs.  It makes me think why I have never heard of these before?  What is holding them back?  Having the  youth explore, on the computer can help motivate and inform themselves on the value of an education.

Thinking Technology: Toward a Constructivist Design Model.

Constructivists construct their own reality to their past experiences or at least construct them on what has happened to them in the past.  Purposeful knowledge construction is facilitated by learning environments that have multiple learning situations, focus on knowledge construction, support collaboration negotiation with others, and real work learning environments.   In the graph titled, "Tentative Web of Construction" three words proved to be the main outline and the basis of learning.  These three words are collaboration, context, and construction (Three C's).  They are the support words that help connect the three power words to each other.  The journal continued to mention that the teacher is not the source of the knowledge but more of a coach and mentor. Besides being the coach or mentor, the teacher also provides the intellectual tool kit to facilitate and engage social negotiations.

Reflection

I agree that students learn better when they make connections to real life lessons.  Every day in my math class I will have various pictures of things in today’s society; a whale, tennis player, or a tree.  My students need to look at the picture and make a connection between the picture and any math objective that we are working on.  My students get really excited when they are able to make a connection to "real life".  I am acting as negotiator of the class when they are making the connections from life to math.  

Activity #3: Exemplary, Equitable, Constructivist Lesson

Presented is the URL for the website http://www.funbrain.com/cashreg/index.html

Summary:  This applet gives the students a chance to figure out the correct change.  The students can use different bill amounts, and there are four levels.  This would be suitable for my 5th grade class because of their low math level, in addition to their low reading level; many cannot decide the correct form of change.

This educational tool would be exemplary because there are four levels and each student’s work can be differentiated according to his or her level.  Students can experiment with different units of money to figure out what change can be received back, and they can reflect on what items could cost a certain amount of money, making this lesson constructivist.  This lesson can be equitable because the students have a chance to learn at their level, and to understand the value of money.  Like I mentioned before, this lesson is aligned with 4^th grade standards but it also aligned with my student’s math level, making this level beneficial to real life lessons and activities.   

This activity would be beneficial in Community Technology Centers.  Students could then look up which items cost that certain amount of money that they are working with, and determine what else they can purchase with the leftover money.  The students are also able to explore the prices of certain items that they would like to purchase, and in effect, set goals for obtaining their objects.  

EdX Demo

Resetting my password and getting started was very simple.  The first video that appeared, the instructor was very friendly and personable.  He gave you step by step instructions on what the website offers and the amount if interaction that can be accomplished.  To start the course, was extremely simple. When the videos are being played, it helps to see the words scroll on the right hand side.  You are able to click the words, and it will send you to that particular section in the video, that seemed to help me grasp what is being talked about.  All the videos were informational, realistic, and easy to upload.   Different styles of presenting the information was very beneficial.  I liked  it how they were teaching you how to connect a circuit, and the video screens were split.  One screen the teacher was telling how, and the other screen, the students was writing it down.  Interactive questions gave quick feedback on testing your knowledge.  The due date is shown at all times, on the screen, so you are able manage your time.  The positive I saw in the reading passages was that the writing was already shown and you did not need to download any file to view the assigned reading.  When answering the questions, you had quick feedback on whether or not the question was correct. The interactive part, I actually didn't notice the first time.  Going through it, all the information was clickable and you were able to gain knowledge, by moving your mouse over certain pictures and letters.  The only negativity I found with this section, is that I can find this information anywhere on the internet.  Labs and demos was also very interactive and it was easy to work with.  Having to post discussions and questions seemed very simple and easy.  There are forms for help on technology, or assignment issues.  I also noticed a, "student FAQ" which is a quick way to find an answer to a question or problem.

What are your thoughts on MOOCs in education? It is a good way for people to be connected with others, stay up to date with information, and for personal enrichment.  The negativity is the feasibility of grading, cheating, and the individualization for the student.  MOOCs can be good for people who have a busy schedule and need to gain the knowledge on their own time.  I am just worried about the lack of social interaction and social growth of the student

Are they the future of learning? I don't believe they are. The school building is needed to be the place for enrichment and socialization.  MOOCs can serve as additional learning but not the main portion

Who do they benefit and who do they harm?  Benefit the stay at home parents, busy people who don't have much time but want to further their knowledge. Also benefit the student who has problems getting along with other individuals.  Some students just do better when they are learning at their own pace and rigor. They harm, the individual who lacks the social skills that help society in a better way.  It allows people to not leave their homes, and confide to the computer, rather than a human being. 

Can you see them making their way into K-12 environments?Maybe for the older grades, for example 11th and 12th grade. For the younger students they need to interact and socialize with each other.  This will help them to express their thoughts, and feelings appropriately.

Reflection Post #2

Will the Future of Education be Online, Open and Massive?

MOOC is the abbreviation for Massive Open Online Course.  These courses are open classrooms where people can connect with up to date information.  You don't have to be enrolled, it is primarily for people who have the will to keep learning and keeping their knowledge up to date. Some MOOCs require some form of payment, for proof of course being attained, thou.   Khan Academy, was one of the first MOOC created by Salman Khan as a way to tutor his cousins in math.  Besides, Khan Academy, but Udacity and Coursera are MOOCs that are serving the life long learners in the world.

Reflection
I do agree that MOOCs is a place where people can collaborate and communicate with others who share the same the interests and opinions.  Either way you learning something new, you have to memorize and put it into use.  MOOCs can be place where new ideas come up, but I struggle to agree that a high level of learning can attained just by reading articles on a computer screen.  

BYOD

Bring your own device, (BYOD) is being encouraged in the schools.  You are able to bring your electronic, device and use the required application to do school work.  The "pros" of this new culture is that it saves the schools money, so they don't have to purchase the equipment for the students, and that the student feels comfortable with the device they are using.  The negative aspect of BYOB is that some applications may not be able to run on certain devices, and the support might be lacking because the school won't have the support in place.  BYOD places stress on the families with tight incomes.  If a student comes into school still thinking about home and the negativity there, reaching that child will be difficult because they won't be focused in on school.

Reflection
I like the idea of BYOD.  It places the students to be more in charge and responsible for their learning.  The majority of the student population have the devices that can be used in the classroom. It will allow for quick and efficient communication between the student and teachers, at any time of day.   In the the end, the negativity that comes with BYOD out weighs the positives.  With the number of low income families not able to purchase a device for school, the schools should purchase the device for the students, that way, the school knows what the students can, and can't do with the devices.  Eliminating less play time and more learning time.


Rubric

Summary paragraphs - 5

Took notes and used examples from the reading that explained the important aspects of the reading.

Reflection paragraph(s) - 4

I felt connected to BYOD but MOOC I couldn't relate to.  MOOC has to many negatives than positives, and people have the easier path to cheating with MOOC, in addtiona. Khan Academy can and has put my students to sleep in the classroom, when I played it.  

Quality of writing - 5

Reading over and making sure no errors are found in my thoughts.  

Connection to readings - 5

Using information from the text that supports my ideas and opinions.  Writing comes better to me when I make connections in my writing to what I just read.  

Reflective Post #1 Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants

Are students today fundamentally different than students in the past? No they are not.  All students need to be taught how to read and write in early childhood.  But as the students become older and smarter, the concept of learning becomes more on how to react to life experiences and problems.    

As I started to read what Prensky had to to say it surprised me, and it shouldn't have, that all students K-12 have grown up using technology in there everyday lives.  He gave out numbers saying that "Today‟s average college grads have spent less than  5,000 hours of their lives reading, but over 10,000 hours playing video games".  This is extremely shocking to me,  This is one of the facts that helps to change my opinion, that students are fundamentally different after all.  Digital Natives, want everything done in a timely and quick manner, where as Digital Immigrants must "print out their emails to read".  Prenskey continued to say that, video games could and should play a role in today's classroom.  I tend to agree with this comment, students seem to put forth more effort when a game is being played on the objectives that were just taught in the classroom.   The students seem to feel more comfortable learning while playing games.

DT Quinn makes the point that Prensky finding are a little old and behind the time.  I can agree with this, students are extremely tech savy and much has changed since 2001.  Quinn states, " Using technological tools or media changes the way we do things, but core human needs, activities and behaviours persist. Education must change how it does its business, whilst preserving, repurposing and remastering the best of what it has always done."  Data driven instruction is the big phrase in education at this particular moment, and Quinn also brings it up in his blog, but not in the exact words. Educational instruction changes over time but the expectations on how the students interact does not.    Students still need to act in a respectful and mature attitude in the classroom, but us teachers do change our teaching styles to better ensure the students will obtain the information that we are trying to teach.