Blog Post 6

The Networked Student by Wendy Drexler
The Networked Student will be a student of Connectivism, a theory that learning occurs as a social network of many diverse connections and ties. The student uses many tools to enhance his or her learning experience. The student must engineer his or her own personal learning network and learns how to use valid sites to use. He bookmarks his sites, then goes to others people's bookmarks to find valid sites, and they share the sites he or she has found. The student is able to go to other people's blogs to review post and comment to share their opinion. The Networked Student uses iTunes U to listen to podcast on courses recorded by professors from prestigious schools like Stanford and Yale. Also the student can use Skype to do interviews with experts on his subject area. The student uses his or her blog to connect to student and professionals. The student uses tools like Google Scholar and Delicious to use valid resources to develop their opinion and bookmark website to share with other students. Why does the network student even need a teacher? The teacher teaches him or her how to build the learning network, take advantage of the opportunities presented, guidance, and encouragement.
The Network Student reminds me of all of my classmates in EDM 310. Like Dr. Strange says, we are leaving an intellectual a trail.A trail of networks to other people so we can converse on different issues and present our opinions while leaving constructive criticism. All of these tools can shape a hands-on learning experience and encourages exploration. My opinion is students learn more when they have to search for the answer because the gratification is never forgotten. The idea of using a video interview of the direct source on a certain topic is a great experience for the class because this give them the opportunity to ask direct questions to an expert. We have to connect our students to the world because students do not need limited knowledge. Students in today's classroom are being taught with blinders on, meaning, the students are only being taught what is in front of them in a textbook and not being encouraged to use outside sources to find information. Students can learn a lot from each other using these networks and blogs to voice opinions to each other.

I will be prepared for a networked student because I want my student to explore for the answers they are seeking. I like to go on websites to help me study for tests because the textbook only tell you so little. I like to know more than what the textbook tells me so I want my future students to use valid websites to further their knowledge.This is the video to the Networked Student. Like I have always said, until we can get every child a computer in the classroom the networked student is theoretical and not yet practical.




Wendy Drexler will have some challenges in her experience with the networked student research she is doing. She has to find a teacher who is willing to invest in the time she is investing to make this a successful experience for both of them. If the teacher is not doing what is necessary on their end then the networked student will be disconnected. Both Wendy and the teacher must convince the students this will be a journey that will prepare them for the future and be overall enjoyable. The challenge with giving students a choice of topics is that the school curriculum in public schools are not based on student choice. Teachers must create his or her lesson plan around the standardized test students must pass. Also, Wendy may have a few students who are going to use this opportunity to do everything on the computer except concentrate on school related work but Wendy and more importantly the teacher must do whatever to monitor this behavior. You can go to Wendy Drexler's Blog

A 7th Graders Personal Learning Environment (or PLN)



I think it is great for a student to start early how to use a Personal Learning Environment because this will put them at an advantage to their peers. After watching this video I went to the Symbaloo Website and I think it is very resourceful for a student and professional to use. Everything she needed was a click away on one of her tiles. Her PLN was packed with useful information and she could look at the teacher's agenda for the day to keep her ahead in the classroom. You can find out how to use Symbaloo with this Symbaloo Instruction.