Module 4

I responded to Shane F. and Amanda Dickerson

Module 4 ~ Mind Map

Networking has changed the way I have learned in a substantial amount of ways. In a networked world, the very manner of information that we acquire is worth exploring. Being enrolled in Walden's Educational Technology has aided me in exploring the benefits and advantages of using networking in the educational setting. I have learned that we as individuals can contribute our opinions and views to extend the depth or the diversity of our understanding. Individual opinions helped me to understand how education and technology is in other states, other classrooms, facilitated by other teachers, and I have indeed learned from that. The digital tools that best facilitate learning for me are the numerous technological innovations associated with Web 2.0. There are a susbtantial amount to name, but I find wikis, blogs etc very useful in make learning activities move into a digital age. I learn new knowledge when I have questions by making a nd forming connections between specialized communities within a network.

Module 3 Response

I responded to Shane F. and Amanda Dickerson on 7/16

Module 3-Humans and Collaboration

Is the saying,"two brains are better than one" believable to humans? Do we get more work done together or alone? Does it depend on the person's personality, introvert or extrovert? It is my assumption that two brains are better than one and that humans do have the basic instinct to work together whether they are productive or not, however it's complicated because it does depend on the person's personality. With this being said, depending on the environment that you have become accustomed to, you may only be comfortable working alone and do not instinctively gravitate to others and work in a group. I believe that Rheingold said it best,"we must learn that using collective action and working with a group is the best way to create a better society"(2005). It is safe to say that no matter a humans instinct to interact and work as a group or work alone, working together does create a better society. The human instinct for people to work an interact as a group helped Haiti during the devastating earthquake. The human instinct for people to work an interact as a group has saved a lot of people's lives in emergency rooms across the world. I think that the human instinct to work as a group is natural for society when help is needed. According to Rheingold,there are certain reasons why someone would help share with others that generally involve some reward or benefit for the individual"(2005).

The constructivist perspective supports that learning occurs through interaction with others. Learners work together as peers, applying combined knowledge to the solution to solve problems. Technological innovations such as blogs, wikis, and other social networking advances help facilitate collaboration among learners and allow them to work together as peers. The evolving world of the Internet communication--blogs, podcasts, and websites offer learners news way to research, create and learn in groups. The value of social networks should not be underestimated because it is becoming a reflection of the world we live in today.

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

Module 1 Response 6/19

I responded to Ashley Bridges and Amy Cravey

Module 2 response on 7/2

Eric Harris and Ashley Bridges on 7/2