EDUC-8845_MOD1_WK2:
Module 1 Blog Topics (Select One):
1). What are your beliefs about how people learn best? What is the purpose of learning theory in educational technology?
2). What are the critical elements of a learning theory? Did Driscoll and Siemens miss any key questions or criteria? Provide a thoughtful critique of their discussion of learning theory.
3).Critique Siemens’s “metaphors of educators.” Which of these metaphors best describes the role you believe an instructor should take in a digital classroom or workplace? Is there a better metaphor to reflect your view of the role of instructors?
For the first assignment due WK2, I have chosen to post my opinion for question #3. Please review my response below:
Learning and Instruction in a Digital World
“Learning and Knowing in Networks” written by Siemens in 2008 presents metaphors of the evolving roles of teachers. He provides a roadmap which suggests the need to reconfigure, revamp and reconstruct our thoughts in terms of the roles that teacher will play as they align themselves with the digital age.
Ironically, most teachers’ live and breathe metaphors. It’s as natural as rain! As I think back to high school years, recollections of consistently being told that “Learning was a journey” ring through my head. It didn’t mean much at the time, but as I put it into perspective (i.e., retrospect) my teacher’s navigated me through varying paths towards knowledge. At times they allowed me to venture off into uncharted territories, things that were beyond the scope of the lectures, topics that interested me, followed by querying my findings and clarifying my understanding. They preached of fulfillments when they knew a student benefitted from their efforts. Although sometimes burdensome, they each played a significant role in the process of my getting a formalized education.
According to Lakeoff and Johnson (1980), the essence of a metaphor focuses on understanding and experiencing one thin g in terms of another. Could and alternative name for the role of the educator be that of a tour guide or agent for knowledge? One who maps out a predefined territory, and insures the student stops and pay attention to important landmarks? With aspiration of someday being recognized as a renowned scholar, my metaphor (e.g., tour guide) seems reasonably fair.
Siemens (2008), discusses four metaphors to describe models of the evolving educator and learner roles based on John Seely Brown’s impression of future educators being more effective in the roles of studio or atelier (2006), Clarence Fisher portraying them as network administrators (n.d.), Curtis Bonks perception of them filling the role of concierge (2007) and his own impression of them evolving as curator’s. All notions prompted by a now technologically enabled era.
Systematically approaching learning, being viewed as the master, yet encouraging creativity and collaboration is representative of the model of studio or atelier. Blogs are very good examples of this particular model. Secondly, the Network Administrator encourages the students to freely construct networks of learning. They are self-directed conceptual learners who are encouraged to reflect on the learning experience in its entirety. Students are better positioned to elevate their competency levels, meet objectives and outcomes based on specific courses. Educators address gaps in the learning network along with learner evaluations. The concierge model insinuates that the role of the educator is simply to provide resources or learning opportunities that the learner may not be aware of (Siemens, 2008).
Although my metaphor in terms of how the future role of the educator could evolve, Siemens himself provides a well-rounded solution where the educator is a curatorial teacher. This role describes the future educator as an expert who allows the freedom of discovery and opportunity, yet structure when needed whilst learners are pursuing disciplines of choice. According to Siemens (2008),” instead of dispensing knowledge, the curator creates spaces in which knowledge can be created, explored, and connected”. This indeed appears to be a better choice to insure that our educators effectively meet the demands mandate by the digital age and its learners!
References
Lakoff, G. & Johnson, M. (1980) Metaphors We Live By. Chicago: University of Chicago.
Siemens, G. (2008). Learning and knowing in networks: Changing roles for educators and designers. Paper presented to ITFORUM. Retrieved on September 12th, 2010 from http://it.coe.uga.edu/itforum/Paper105/Siemens.pdf
Siemens, G., (2008). New structures and spaces of learning: The systemic impact of connective knowledge, connectivism, and networked learning. University of Manitoba Braga, Portugal. Retrieved on September 15th, 2010 from http://elearnspace.org/Articles/systemic_impact.htm
Walden, J. (2010). Metaphors of Education. Retrieved on September 12th, 2010 from http://jeffwaldenblog.wordpress.com/2010/09/14/metaphors-of-educators/
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I like your metaphor of the tour guide. Personally, I am leaning toward the curator, but no firm commitment yet.
ReplyDeleteMy educ-8845 blog is at: http://streffr.blogspot.com/
I understand that the spaces referred Siemens I can compare the learning environments raised by Dewey. For both, the space or the environment are to allow the student to create, explore and connect with knowledge. Siemens puts it into a technology platform, while Dewey interpreted in a different context. The teacher should be an expert to create these environments or spaces according to the content, purpose and objective of education. In making the comparison, I wonder if each of them, from an educational perspective, use metaphors that are not inconsistent with each other, but rather reflect the context and the particular vision of the educational process.
ReplyDeleteI understand that the spaces referred Siemens I can compare the learning environments raised by Dewey. For both, the space or the environment are to allow the student to create, explore and connect with knowledge. Siemens puts it into a technology platform, while Dewey interpreted in a different context. The teacher should be an expert to create these environments or spaces according to the content, purpose and objective of education. In making the comparison, I wonder if each of them, from an educational perspective, use metaphors that are not inconsistent with each other, but rather reflect the context and the particular vision of the educational process.
ReplyDeleteBob and Gviruet,
ReplyDeleteYour comments are greatly appreciated. Although I created a metaphor of my own, the curator seems appropriate for those who now learn within the digital age. On a second note, I need to get the SKYPE addresses of each of you so that we can schedule a brief meeting. Let me know -- sbealldavis is my SKYPE address.