Shown below, and posted in my previous blog entry, is my mind map for my network connections. I’ll be reflecting, in this blog post, on how 4 key networks have helped to facilitate my own learning over the years.
One of the main principles of the learning theory known as Connectivism is that “learning is the process of connecting specialized nodes or information into sources” (Davis, Edmunds, & Kelly-Bateman, 2008). Ever since I was an undergraduate, I would say that my own learning could be interpreted in this manner.
The nature of my own learning has evolved a great deal since the internet explosion. It suddenly became much easier for me to learn whatever I wanted since learning resources were suddenly a Google search away whereas they were once buried within the archives of a library. Even if I found a relevant source, the information I was seeking was often difficult to extract.
While creating my map, I thought of four main nodes that categorize my current learning: professional, graduate school related, personal, and to a lesser extent, social networking. The various branches from each of these nodes show the resources I use to accommodate my learning in each of these categories. The acquisition of new knowledge starts at one of these nodes. For instance, if I need help creating a Calculus lesson, my learning begins at the “Professional Learning” node. I would then turn to the AP® Calculus community, search one of the many forums for what I’m looking for, or, if I’m unsuccessful in my search, I can post a question on the discussion board and expect a veteran teacher to respond to me within 24 hours. It is possible (and even likely) that this teacher may allow me to extract a lesson, worksheet, or applet by allowing my access to his/her Dropbox share folder. This “cross pollination of the learning environment” (Davis et al, 2008) is a consequence of Connectivism. It is simply amazing to me that such a thing would have been impossible just two decades ago!
My Digital Tools
To compose a list of my favorite digital learning tools is as difficult as coming up with a list of my top four favorite movies, but here it goes:
1) Dropbox: Online storage space with a kicker: you can share resources by providing links to your folders. I use it daily
2) Wikipedia: Say what you will about its credibility, it is still great for gaining superficial knowledge about a topic;
3) AP® Learning Community: a must for any AP® teacher; free and unlimited access to advice, lessons, applets, you name it.
4) LinkedIn: Social networking with a purpose; I legitimately care about what people are posting here because it is relevant to my career.
References:
Davis, C., Edmunds, E., & Kelly-Bateman, V. (2008). Connectivism. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Connectivism
