Personal Learning Network
From Knowledgeable to Knowledge-Able by Dr. Michael Wesch I found Dr. Wesch's discussion very inspiring. His theory on having students be knowledge-able versus knowledgeable is very unique. Students often become disgruntled with school because they feel they are just memorizing material and are learning meaningless facts that will not help them in life. Dr. Wesch attempts to improve this by encouraging a different type of learning. Dr. Wesch suggests that students need to learn how to find, sort, analyze, and create knowledge instead of just memorizing facts. Dr. Wesch showed a series of inspiring videos that demonstrated that ability to use the new forms of media to create positive change in the worlds. Using media to promote positive change is what students should be learning how to do. Teaching ways to attack real life problems should be encouraged in the classroom. After watching Dr. Wesch's Ted Talk, I could not agree with him more. As a history teacher, I am well aware of the student's typical distaste towards the subject. Knowing this, I try my hardest everyday to not only make the subject matter engaging and interesting, but relevant to current issues. Every single lesson I create is related to current events to demonstrate to students the importance of the subject matter. I am not a fan of using quizzes or cumulative exams as a form of assessment and instead create projects that force students to use the skills they learned in class and apply them to real world issues. Additionally, my educational philosophy is progressive, meaning that I value the student over the subject matter. I strongly believe that students should have a say in what they learn and that requires me, as an educator, to encourage them to be knowledge-able and not simply knowledgeable. Learn more about Dr. Wesch's theory on knowledge-ability by watching the video below. Wesch, M. (2010, October 12). From Knowledgeable to Knowledge-able [Video file]. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeaAHv4UTI8
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Visitor vs. Resident by Dr. Dave White Dr. David White challenged the technological theory of Natives vs. Immigrants with a new theory of Visitors vs. Residents. The old theory of Natives vs. Immigrants argues that when it comes to technology, their are two types of people: Natives, who understand and are fluent with technology, and then immigrants, who are attempting to learn the new language but have not mastered it. Dr. White argues that his theory is flawed because it suggests that "old people just don't understand this stuff." Dr. White counters this theory with a new idea in approaching the two types of people who use the internet. Dr. White suggests that when we approach technology, it is "not about academics or technical skills, its about motivation and culture." Thus emerges the theory of Visitors vs. Residents. Visitors are individuals who use technology as a tool that they can use to reach a goal and then they put it back inside the toolbox. In contrast, residents are individuals who have set up a personal network through technology in which they continue to exist even when they are not directly online. Visitors tend to be more personal and do not want to promote their personal life online, whereas for residents, technology is part of their life. This theory suggests that the two type of people who use the internet isn't the difference between literacy and illiteracy, but is the difference between desire to use the internet and aversion towards the internet. Personally, I see myself as more of a resident than a visitor. I use several different forms of social media and rely on some of those outlets to connect with different people in my life. Additionally, I use technology as a way to establish a brand for myself, which is one of the key words that Dr. White used in describing residents. Though I see myself as a resident, I also am aware of certain commonalities that i share with visitors. I absolutely use technology as a tool to reach my goals and I also value my privacy when it comes to my personal life. Though I share some of my personal life on social media outlets, such as Instagram, I monitor my posts and only share what I don't mind others seeing. Additionally, though I am a resident, I am not completely literate when it comes to technology. I learn more and more everyday when it comes to the different tools that I can access through technology and I actively seek news ways to increase my technological knowledge. Learn more about this theory and discover where you fall on the Visitor vs. Resident pendulum by watching the video below. White, D. (2013, May 31). Visitors and Residents [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sFBadv04eY |
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Teacher candidate at CSU, San Marcos. Archives
February 2017
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