A learner is like a railroad tie.
Ok so this may sound weird but hear me out... In today's society where new tools are constantly being introduced into the educational sector, students are becoming more and more connected with each other and the outside world. Students become individual pieces (railroad ties) that are connected through a network of learning (railroad track). I think this analogy is especially appropriate when used with regard to the social networking craze that is so present in our student's lives. They love connecting with each other by "friending" and interact with each other in a whole new way online. This change can be seen in the classroom as well, with the addition of blogging and other new tools. In this article by George Siemens, the author points out that learning is no longer individually and internally based. Rather, learners are connected in a network where information is constantly being shared and altered by each learner. Siemens says, "Learning is a process that occurs within nebulous environments of shifting core elements - not entirely under the control of the individual." The influence of others affects the learning process in a new way.
In this video, also by George Siemens, Siemens discusses the ways in which social media allows us to connect easily and effortlessly with each other. He describes how by having dialogues with others, "We ourselves grow in our knowledge. We grow in our own understanding of our own ideas sometimes." I completely agree with his philosophy of connectivism. I think that by interacting with others in the form of social media, learners are able to grow in their own understanding of concepts more than they would by learning in isolation. As a new railroad is being built and growing with each tie added to the line, new learners continue to alter and grow their networks when they interact together online. Being aware of this phenomenon and taking full advantage of its benefits is something that all educators should partake in.
Ok so this may sound weird but hear me out... In today's society where new tools are constantly being introduced into the educational sector, students are becoming more and more connected with each other and the outside world. Students become individual pieces (railroad ties) that are connected through a network of learning (railroad track). I think this analogy is especially appropriate when used with regard to the social networking craze that is so present in our student's lives. They love connecting with each other by "friending" and interact with each other in a whole new way online. This change can be seen in the classroom as well, with the addition of blogging and other new tools. In this article by George Siemens, the author points out that learning is no longer individually and internally based. Rather, learners are connected in a network where information is constantly being shared and altered by each learner. Siemens says, "Learning is a process that occurs within nebulous environments of shifting core elements - not entirely under the control of the individual." The influence of others affects the learning process in a new way.
In this video, also by George Siemens, Siemens discusses the ways in which social media allows us to connect easily and effortlessly with each other. He describes how by having dialogues with others, "We ourselves grow in our knowledge. We grow in our own understanding of our own ideas sometimes." I completely agree with his philosophy of connectivism. I think that by interacting with others in the form of social media, learners are able to grow in their own understanding of concepts more than they would by learning in isolation. As a new railroad is being built and growing with each tie added to the line, new learners continue to alter and grow their networks when they interact together online. Being aware of this phenomenon and taking full advantage of its benefits is something that all educators should partake in.
