Part 3 – after lunch
Learning Theory and online networking tools
ways of thinking and knowing, ways of doing (practice), social networking tools
theories of learning
behaviourism (Gagne), cognitivism (Piaget), social constructivism (Vygotsky), sittuative learning (Wenger), + Connectionist – forming networks, pattern recognition
context and related task types for each theory (e.g. cognitivism > problem based learning)
socio-cultural model –
learning is a conversational activity, social environment acts as scaffold for tutor and learner to engage in dialogue. collaborative activity forms vital component.
what changes are we responding to?
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tech – ubiquitous computing
student profile and expectations
new pedagogies
external forces, global marketplace
community – rise of network society
information age mindset
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computers are not technology
doing more important than knowing
trial and error preferable to logic
multitasking
typing not handwriting
staying connected
zero tolerance for delays
lines between consumer and producer are blurred
edu uses of weblogs
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reflective practice
knowledge management
assignments
group work
e-portfolios
sharing resources
role play and simulation
Distance learning MA in war studies
core materials via LMS
dialogue via e-mail, discussion forums, skype, weblogs
access subject to temporal, distance and tech constraints
is a need to discover and create role in learning community
these relationships need to be made explicit through online dialogue (as they are normallly implicit face to face)
using WebCT vista
fitness for purpose
discussion fora – structured and semi-structured for knowledge building and dialogue (disputational, cumulative, exploratory)
weblogs – personal publishing for reflection, taking ownership of learning experience
wikis – knowledge sharing and building
Conversational tools
content free templates that scaffold “the inner conversation”, “outer conversation with tutor”, “outer conversation with resources in the personal domain”.
In practice
all students have a blog, tutor blogs
they use a newsfeed aggregator to collect blogs using RSS (bloglines)
What happened?
student evaluation
revealed strategic pragmatic economic management and perception of their own education
evaluation – time and assessment were key
connectivism
from community to network – student and tutor blogs link to external ‘expert blogs’ – forming a ‘knowledge network’
Knowledge can rest with the network…
Does our theory of knowledge drive our choice of tools?
