My Philosophy of Learning
Learning is a personal quest for knowledge. It should be self-directed yet fostered by connections created in a personal learning environment. Learning is an ongoing cognitive process that can be stimulated by the dynamic interactivity of events, people, organizations, technology, content and the learner. Technology provides the tools to ensure this dynamic interactivity between the learner and his learning environment. Critical components of learning include the willingness and the ability of the student to reason and to communicate with other learners, the instructor and the content. Teachers in both a face-to-face and online environment need to create a positive environment conducive for learning. Some non-negotiable aspects of an appropriate learning environment are building trust, respect and appreciation for the participants, the content and the tools provided.
The stagnancy of content that is transpired linearly contrasts with cyclical learning produced when an instructor or learner utilizes technology to activate its powerful tools for retrieving, storing, sharing and constructing knowledge among communities, individuals, organizations or small groups. It is the responsibility of the instructor to understand how the students learn, to recognize their weaknesses and strengths and to provide feedback whenever feasible. It is the responsibility of the learner to actively engage in the construction of knowledge and be cognizant of changes in our environment that can dictate our choices. Learners need to be skilled at sifting through information and finding valid and reliable sources. Learning is an ongoing endeavor that shapes who we are as individuals and as a society. It is awesome to learn something new and is even better when we spread the news!
I commented on Aimee's Blog http://cothran7105.blogspot.com/
and Kevin Steele's Blog http://kmsteele.blogspot.com/
Karen,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post. I especially liked your comment about stagnant content and cyclical learning. Students should be able to have new learning experiences beyond the confines of educational tradition. If we continue to hold on to the rules of the past, the future will pass us by.
Karen,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading you blog post on learning in a digital world. I also think that learning is a person’s quest for knowledge. I also think that technology provide us with information by presenting it in different ways which makes it important because people learn in different ways. Since learning is an ongoing process and our society has become digital, technology plays a major role in helping children learn.
Marion Bush
Karen,
ReplyDeleteExcellent philosophy about learning in a digital world. You have given me ideas to reflect upon. I like that you believe that "trust" is an important part of learning and that both the learner and the teacher have "responsibilities" in the process of learning.