A teacher is like a lighthouse. The role of the teacher is to guide the students safely. While the students ultimately choose what course to steer, teachers will provide a positive influence on choosing the best path. We can show them the shore as they can discover their own capabilities and the endless possibilities of the world. The open sea is much like learning in that there are no guarantees. Risks most be taken to connect to the limitless possibilities of today’s dynamic information. A theory about connecting to this information is detailed George Siemens, Connectivism:A Learning Theory for the Digital Age. Siemens describes our modern world as technology driven society with an abundance of information which is chaotically organized. Rather than the actual content, our ability to find and connect to pertinent content is most significant. Seimens (2005) states, “When knowledge, however, is needed, but not known, the ability to plug into sources to meet the requirements becomes a vital skill. As knowledge continues to grow and evolve, access to what is needed is more important than what the learner currently possessess."
We now live in a digital age. Information appears fast, changing quite frequently and spontaneously. Because of this, learning skills ar more relevant then information itself. In the video, The Changing Network of Knowledge, Seimens explains that "networking becomes the learning." In other words, "the ability for learners to connect with each other, databases, and other sources of knowledge in the primary point of learning." Learning in this theory is not limited to an individual's mind. This concept can be advantageous to teaching. Teachers can facilitate the various sources of knowledge that are available to learners. Since each individual has unique learning styles, the teacher can differentiate the process of connecting the student to the information. A bright beacon of a lighthouse provides numerous courses to the same destination.
We now live in a digital age. Information appears fast, changing quite frequently and spontaneously. Because of this, learning skills ar more relevant then information itself. In the video, The Changing Network of Knowledge, Seimens explains that "networking becomes the learning." In other words, "the ability for learners to connect with each other, databases, and other sources of knowledge in the primary point of learning." Learning in this theory is not limited to an individual's mind. This concept can be advantageous to teaching. Teachers can facilitate the various sources of knowledge that are available to learners. Since each individual has unique learning styles, the teacher can differentiate the process of connecting the student to the information. A bright beacon of a lighthouse provides numerous courses to the same destination.
1 comment:
Your analogy of a lighthouse works well. The teacher shines a light to guide the students to appropriate learning resources or networks, but the students steer their learning.
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