Sunday, June 6, 2010

"Connectivism"



As I reflect upon the rapid changes in technology, which has created an abundance of networks that consist of people learning and communicating whereby, providing people the opportunity, and the ability between forming networks, that integrate technology and social networks, which has provided a massive formal of diverse information in a global environment. The kind of network that allows me the capability to acquire new knowledge, by expanding my resources, and its influence has allow me to adapt and change the way I learn. Learning for me consist of a range of different resources. "Google" happens to be one of them, in a simple form. The accessibility that we have to obtain information is Hugh. I do not have to go through an encyclopedia, or run to the library to do research. I have a network of knowledge and data that is arms length away.




The computer is the best digital tool to facilitate my learning, my son is his apple i phone. And now "Blogs" , I find them interesting and a new learning tool, not just to acquire knowledge, but to voice peoples' opinion, and the points of view of whether you agree or disagree, like a debate, a form of a forum or open plateau. I have acknowledged a different approach to adult learning. And how I gain new knowledge, which has facilitated me to become more inquisitive and question matters more frequently. Frankly, I had not given it some thought prior to reading the article from Adult Learning from Emerging Perspective on Learning, Teaching and Technology, on Malcolm knowles and his description of Andragogy, which he consider " the art and science of helping adult learning". The five assumptions he underlines and the principles that knowles used would be more manageable approach toward gaining new knowledge in my perspective.




George Siemen's Theory of Connectivisim emphasises on the importance between the interplay of networks, and the complexity of its "half-life" of knowledge. Assimilating the ways my personal learning network support the central tenets of connectivisim and its components, in reference to its Chaos Theory, which is when studies are linked together or connected to create a pattern that is important. However, the bottom line is finding balance, or a equilibrium, some kind of flexibility of the events that are constantly changing, therefore, adapting to the changes positively. There are different impacting factors that combine the interplay self-organized, or self-directed. The interacting components of the diverse population, or community of people who interact in a functional global connecting organized structure of patterns, and behaviors which can make matters more complex. The decisions that will be based on today's event's that are constantly shifting, may not well be the actuality at another later time. New information alters the decisions made yesterday. The viewpoint of the abundance of information, and moving forward with the "digital age," has facilitated the concept, and provided the opportunities to nurture the connections needed to motivate continual learning. The principles of Connectivisim, people gathering together their skills and knowledge by interacting at a larger scale and capacity connecting is of preference on my book.






Conlan, J., Grabowski, S.,& Smith, K. (2003). Adult learning. In M.Orey (Ed.), Emerging perpective on learning, teaching, and technology.


Davis, C., Edmunds, E. & kelly-Bateman, mV. (2008). Connectivisim. In M.Orey (Ed.) Emerging perspective on learning, teaching, and technology.


Sunday, May 16, 2010

Calibration Indices




Using multiple calibration indices in order to capture the complex picture of what affects students' accuracy of feeling of confidence.
Authors: Boekaerts, Monique, Rozendaal, Jeroen S.1 http://boekaerts@fsw.leidenunivn/
Source: Learning & Instruction; Oct 2010, vol.20 Issues 5, p.372-382, 11p
Document Type: Article

Subject Terms:

  • CONFIDENCE
  • PERCEPTION
  • COGNITIVE ability
  • MATHEMATICS--Study & Teaching
  • STUDENTS --Psychology
  • PROGRAMMING (mathematics)

Abstract: The present study used mutiple calibration indices to capture the complex picture of fifth graders'' calibration of feeling of confidence in mathematics. Specifically, the effects of gender, type of mathematical problem, instruction method, and time of measurement (before and after the problem solving) on calibration skills were investigated.

Learning Information Process and Theory


ir information research
vol. 14 no. 4, December, 2009

In search of credibilty: pupils' information practices in learning environments

Introduction. we aim to create an in-depth understanding of how pupils in upper secondary school negotiate the credibility and authority of information as part of their practices of learning. Particular focus is on the use of user-created resources, such as Wikipedia, where authorship is collective and/or hard to determine.

Method. An ethnographic study was conducted in an upper secondary school class, Methods included observations, group interviews and information seeking diaries in the form of blogs.
Analysis. The empirical material from the class room study was categorised and aggregated into five themes, which emerged as a result of the interplay between the empirical material and a perspective based in socio-cultural theory.
Results. The pupils make credibility assessments based on methods developed for traditional media where, for instance, instance, origin and authorship are important. They employ some user-created sources, notably Wikipeia, because these are easily available, but they are uncertain about when these sources should be considered credible.
Conclusions. In an increasingly diverse media world, pupils' credibility assessments need to be informed by a socio-technical understanding of sources which takes both social and material aspects into account. The diversitity of resources requires that pupils assess credibility for the particular situation in which they use information.

Sundin, O. & Francke, H. (2009). "in search of credibility: pupils' information practices in learning environments" Information Research, 14 (4) paper 418.[Availible at http:InformationR.net/ir/14-4/paper418.html]

I find this resource valuable and becuase it gives me a different perspective on how students are taugh in Sweden. I also found nit resourceful for me because of the diverse media which we have to also assess its credibility. I also liked the fact taht the students are also using blogs, just as we are creating them.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Innovating Concepts

Innovating Concepts

Research Methods in Education


Key Concepts Boldof Reseach Methods
Survey research Leading questions
Survey designs Open-ended items
Cross-sectional designs Census
Longitual designs Telephone interviews
Trend study Selected-response items
Cohort study Pilot run
Panel study Likert Scale Cover letter Follower-ups Response rate
Ex post facto research Telephone interviews Interrater relibility
Casual-comparative research Intratater relibility Branching items
Correlation research Community reseach Status surveys