https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzCwQsmggX80M2x1OC1ESzFTc2M/edit
Engaging Learners
It is important thatstudents learn how to apply academic skills to all areas of learning andcurriculum. Managing content, communication, and collaboration gives studentsthe opportunity to learn new skills through the use of technology and developinteractions to establish effective environment that can incorporateorganizational skills and to create meaningful presentation about the academicsubject. Integrating learning standardswith both technology and presence makes sense as it allows students toinvestigate and present ideas at a much deeper level of learning. Both Blogs and WIKIS allow users to discuss,share, and edit ideas; therefore these innovations can fit into more than onecategory.
Each further examplerevealed how technology can motivate students through simulation and other innovativesoftware that further enhances the learning experience in an online course. Discussion threads, emails, chat, andmessenger all allow for a communication channel connecting to a learningenvironment. I could not rule out theimportance of teacher directed content. There is still a need to deliver content whether through podcast or YouTube;there is still some content student’s need direction on straight from theexpert.
The word collaboration impliesinvolvement. I believe this type of teaching goes beyond the learning that onlyrequires memorization. Indeed, content and communication of subject pushesstudents toward more forceful thinking and enables them to make the applicationof knowledge feasible. Another strategy for encouraging learner-to-learnerinteractions is the use of student-moderated discussions using coursediscussion threads. The instructor may provide the topics for the discussionsor students may develop their own course-related topics (Durrington, 2006). It is also beneficial for the teacher as wellsince the endeavor requires more collaboration among professional to develop asuccessful building block. For example, in the K12 classroom integratingsubjects such as literature and history, in upper elementary grades, influencesstudents to write out of a social context. The literature can influence theirwork in that it brings historical characters to life when they write abouthistorical characters.
“But when they engagewith subject matter, the key concepts of a discipline are transparentlyreflected through the curatorial actions of the teacher.” (Siemens, 2007, pg.17)
This makes theirunderstanding more comprehensive, more emotional, and alive. What isfascinating about this process is the way students can apply knowledge withinthe context of their personal lives. Students, in this manner, can seeconnections and relevance between subjects to provide a range of perspectivesin their knowledge. Another important aspect of engagement in a distancelearning environment is the side effect of cooperation that is required forcollaboration to be effective. This type of dynamic learning invites dialoguebetween instructors and students about learned facts, shared ideas, and inquiryto develop an environment that promotes creativity and collaboration.
References
Durrington,V. A., Berryhill, A., & Swafford, J. (2006). STRATEGIES FOR ENHANCINGSTUDENT INTERACTIVITY IN AN ONLINE ENVIRONMENT. College Teaching, 54(1), 190-193.
Siemens,G. (2008, January). Learning and knowing in networks: Changing roles foreducators and designers. ITForum.
I Replied to K. Gallagher and E. Brinson BLOGS
