Article Response

From one of my subscriptions entitled "#59 Picture This!" there talking about the power of a picture. They ask you to take a photo or one already taken and submit it discussing why you chose it and its significance. I agree dead on with the thinking of a picture is worth a thousand words. Since people learn differently, a picture could definitely heighten ones articulation and develop anther's. Cool way to promote thinking.

SOCIAL NETWORKING

http://www.washingtonnetworkgroup.com/

The Washington Network Group is an organization of professionals in all realms of business, technology, government, etc. They collectively work together to further one another's careers and networks. Using something like this could really help to further someones career, networks, and overall education. The amount of people using this networking group and the totality of knowledge these people possess is amazing.

The Learner of Today

From George Siemens article, there was a lot of valid information pertaining to the numerous theories of learning that are out there. From that, I've created an analogy which I think is fitting for the learner of today. Knowledge today becomes older faster because of technology and the multitude of information outlets. With that in mind, older forms of information delivery are constantly being surpassed by newly developing systems.

The learner of today is much like the man who commutes to work. Every day the man who commutes to work is looking for a faster more efficient means of travel. His current car is old. I mean it’s a 1996 and here it is 2008. The man decides to go to a dealership to get something different. He has a decision to make. Does he purchase a used car that’s a little newer for less money or a new car for more money? “Our ability to learn what we need for tomorrow is more important than what we know today." Siemens, George . "Connectivism:A Learning Theory for the Digital Age." (2005): The older used car is obsolete in that it’s been out and others cars have already surpassed it. The newer car is unique in that it’s the latest model and nothing has surpassed it yet. The commuter needs to know that the latest car he purchases is like the ability to know what he needs tomorrow. If he chooses another used car, which gets him there a little faster, he will still be looking to get to work faster. If he chooses a brand new car, he won’t be searching for a faster means to work as soon.

Three Ways to use Blogs in the Classroom

Using a Blog in the classroom/education environment can prove to be very useful in many ways. It provides an additional means to communicate to students without having students to be in your presence. I am familiar with this practice in that we used the blog feature in college. It was very beneficial.

Blogs can be used to communicate assignments to students outside the classroom at anytime with no regard to in school hours. Meaning an assignment can be assigned during the weekend or twelve o'clock at night. It wouldn't matter when your assigned the work.

You can also have your students use the blog feature with group projects. For example; you assign groups and a situation arises where a student can't make a group meeting, he could use the blog to communicate his portion of the project to his group or discuss certain aspects.

One other additional way a blog could be used to facilitate teaching and communication would be to use the blog as a means of communication between student and teacher. Any time a student has a question or vice verse, students and teacher could use the blog to discuss whatever it is that's needed.