Is collaboration a learned behavior? How can technology facilitate collaboration among learners based on constructivist principles?

I believe that everyone inherently is selfish and that collaboration with others is a learned behavior. Even in the example given by Rheingold, human behavior at it root source is self-serving, and that all higher level thought process and mannerism is a learned behavior. When learners realize that they can accomplish more from working with others they begin to form friendship and relationships that promote, validate and facilitate their success. The association and collaboration with others reflect maturity which suggests that it’s a learned behavior and not inherited.


I believe that technology allow learners to connect with concepts that they work with regularly in an easily manageable system. This system allows learners to interact with each other and develop collaborative relationships that increase learning. Learners today are bombarded with technology that provide instant feedback and allow learning to become dynamic. This style of learning allows and promotes instant feedback of learned behavior and allows learners to learn and adjust their understanding based on collaborative feedback.

 I posted on Charles blog about his view point in this discussion at
http://mrcsviewfromthetop.blogspot.com/2011/04/collaboration.html?showComment=1302979919732#c4149584894206721145

I also commented at http://middleton8845.wordpress.com/2011/04/13/module-3/#comment-18
Reference




Rheingold, H. (2005). Howard Rheingold: Way-new collaboration. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/howard_rheingold_on_collaboration.html

Simple Thoughts on learning theories

I agree with Kerr when he summarized the learning theories as a tool kit of techniques that assist in helping students meet their learning needs. Each learning model addresses specific learning needs and provides the best practices to ensure learners meet their learning goals. The tool kit analogy allows instructors to provide diverse teaching methods to ensure every student is learning and retaining information.


Learning theories are constantly evolving and instructors tend to gravitate toward one model that meet own learning style. I believe that instructors should learning how to recognize students learning need and be able to use these learning models to ensure that every student is learning at their full potential. Learners are complex and their learning needs and styles change as they develop, this development can be addressed by first recognizing the student’s learning need and adjust the pedagogy to be successful in meeting them. Technology is a beautiful tool that allows instructors to adjust teaching styles and methods to meet a diverse group of learning needs. Technology can also be used to measure and adjust pedagogy according to data.

In my opinion as learning models develop instructors should master the ability to recognize students’ specific learning needs and use learning theories as an instrument to assist in helping students meet and exceed their learning need.

I read and posted on Charles blog about this topic at http://mrcsviewfromthetop.blogspot.com/2011/03/cognitivism-as-learning-theory.html#comment-form

I also posted a comment on Jasmine blog at http://aspirestar.blogspot.com/2011/04/cognitivism-as-learning-theory.html?showComment=1302493371265#c4343675655010810010

What are your beliefs about how people learn best? What is the purpose of learning theory in educational technology?

I believe that people learn when they are motivated. This motivation could be the process needed to accomplish a goal or it could be information that holds interest for the learner. Teachers have the unique opportunity to mold learner’s motivations. They can present information in a logical clear way that allows learners to obtain mastery over new concepts, and they can inspire students to learn and discover answers to questions that can help society.


The purpose of learning theories in educational technology is to provide clear and effective practices to meet and exceed students learning needs. Learning theories are the blue prints that allow teachers to motivate and inspire learners to master concepts through clear concise practices that facilitate inquiry and problem solving. The ability of instructors to shift learning theories with different learners is the necessary skill that allows teachers to be able to meet the learning needs of diverse learners.

Teachers are also better equipped to provide the proper motivation to assist students at different learning levels. In my experiences learners are rarely on the same level of master or motivation when it comes to learning, therefore teachers have to be able to adjust instruction to meet the diverse learning needs of all students. This ability of teachers to adjust and refine instruction is influenced by the mastery of the content and the understanding of different learning theories. An analogy to help point out the usefulness of learning theories is to think of a mechanic working on a car with only one tool. A mechanic might be brilliant and have the ability to fix any problem, but he will be handicapped without the ability to adjust tools to fix any problem that could arise. In the same light teachers can be more effective with the understanding of multiple approaches of meeting students learning needs.

I enjoyed reading Jasmine Turner Blog. I posted a comment at http://aspirestar.blogspot.com/2011/03/learning-theory-and-educational.html#comments

I also read and commented on Jamie Blog at http://mrcsviewfromthetop.blogspot.com/2011/03/what-are-my-beliefs-about-how-people.html?showComment=1302491025810#c4368585335069277645

Interactive Board Storyboard

Interactive board storyboard final draft

View more presentations from ninjape.

Here is my Interactive Board Storyboard.  Please review and share your comments


Thanks

Concept Map on Static and Dynamic Technologies

http://learningcommunity3.pbworks.com/w/file/32686639/conceptmapnewsomel.docx

Here is my concept map on static and dynamic technologies.  I believe that I am straddled the fence on technology use.  I will admit that as I reflect on my understanding and use of technology, the major reason I use and understand much in the dynamic realm of technology is because of my degree program at Walden University.  Technology and Web 2.0 has taken the world by storm and I believe that there is a constant flow of people who are migrating from static users of technology to the dynamic ebb and flow of web 2.0.  I believe that the best way to speed up the diffusion of technology and innovation in our world today is to influences the champions, which in my opinion are teachers, to excite and motivate others to learn and use innovations that has already changed the way we communicate and interact with each other today.

D.E. Influence on H.S. Drop Outs

Embedded Code for Video Project:

Url to my Video Project:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpKTsWDpZI0

Graphic Organizer

http://ninjape.wikispaces.com/file/view/Graphic+organizer.docx/175098345/Graphic%20organizer.docx

Here is my graphic organizer.

There are many types of technology that has many applications in education that is not being used in classrooms of today. Skype, face book and other web 2.0 applications have many great applications but are rarely used in education.  According to Siemen instead of viewing distance as a barrier to education, realize that it can be the conduit that allows rich interaction and growth, where academic growth can be achieved with a diverse set of learning tools. The three major factors that influence the flow and growth of distance education is communication, collaboration and content.  When viewed as a graphic organizer the interaction between them are obvious.  Information that can easily be shared with wikki’s is easily placed in both content and communication categories. This integration of concepts and tools are the keys to the continued growth of DE and innovative ways of changing the pedagogy of education.


Siemens, G. (2008, January). Learning and knowing in networks: Changing roles for educators and designers. ITForum