Web 2.0 Tool Smackdown
Smackdown YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/eyWTTPpZZEo?feature=shared
Posts
Chapter 7
Action Research Chapter 7 of the connected educator goes over how a person can sustain the momentum of building their career. One aspect of this chapter that captured my attention was the idea of action research. According to the book action research, “ is a collaborative activity among committed colleagues looking for answers to every day/real problems related to classroom instruction, systematic change, or a more global issue. Action research is learning by doing“ (Hall 180). Basically, research is like being told how to ride a bike, while action research is being shown to experience how to ride a bike. As a political science major I understand the importance of having first-hand experience with the research I am conducting. Clearly I would be able to conduct many of the first steps in processing research, that is described in the book. Unfortunately, I would not be able to fully comprehend the issues at hand without the collaborative action of active ...
Web 2.0 Tool Smackdown
Idroo With the new age of online learning, schools need to be equipped for this alternative academic setting. Idroo is a Webtool created out of the emergence of technology in every day life. This web tool acts as a whiteboard that can be shared to multiple screens. I believe this tool can benefit many students who take online courses. Especially, in math or science curriculums. Some people require visual walk-throughs when learning a new subject, and Idroo is the perfect app too accommodate them.
Chapter 4
Get Connected In my last few blog posts I talked about the importance of networking within your community. However, I did not go into depth on how to do this. In chapter 4 of the connected educator, proper etiquette regarding networking and relationships within a professional career is introduced. According to the authors the first step in properly networking is establishing a relationship. The author goes on to say, “ fostering, nurturing, and maintaining positive, congenial relationships is the first step towards building collaborative cultures”. (Hall 99). Having a relationship with people within your career field is helpful in the long run. So it is important to put effort into those relationships. One way of nurturing a new relationship is establishing trust. Megan Tschannen-Moran’s definition of trust is, “One party’s willingness to be vulnerable to another based on the confidence that the other is benevolent, reliable, competent, honest, and open” (Hall 101). Buildin...
Chapter 5
Online Collaboration An important aspect of connected learning is collaborating with individuals you meet through websites. Chapter 5 outlines different ways of social bookmarking as well as providing resources to help readers. According to the book it is important to categorize and archive the content you come in contact with, to help avoid information overload. Social bookmarking is a way people can collect useful information as well as collaborate and network with other learners. There were three websites in particular that stuck out to me. As a political science major, new philosophies and ideas are constantly being introduced within my field. The website RSS readers is a perfect tool to help organize these new ideas being introduced. Having the ability to subscribe to blogs that introduce these new philosophies without having to search them myself is very convenient. It also can help with future networking. Many blogs offer a comment section for communities to debate ...
Chapter 6
Building Your Connected Learning Community Chapter 6 In this chapter the author teaches readers how to start, nurture and design their own Personal Learning Network. According to Lani Hall a Personal Learning Network should involve, “ an individual's topic oriented goal, a set of practices or techniques aimed at attracting or organizing a variety of relevant content sources, which are selected for their value to help the owner accomplish a professional goal or personal interest“ (Hall 149). It is important for individuals to understand the value of personalizing their goal and planning steps to achieve it. Anyone can have a goal in mind but most people lack definitive steps to achieve that goal. By having smaller steps and breaking down your itinerary achieving a goal can be much easier. I appreciate how Hall acknowledges that the audience are learners. She validates the idea that establishing a personal learning Network can be difficult and confusing for people without pri...