March 2, 2012
Reflections on Design Principles:
Diversity and Inclusivity
I recently started a new course titled "Online Collaboration and Connected Learning", and the roots of this course is the learning theory of Connectivism. Mary Sue is also taking this course!
Behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism are the three broad learning theories most often utilized in the creation of instructional environments. These theories, however, were developed in a time when learning was not impacted through technology. Over the last twenty years, technology has reorganized how we live, how we communicate, and how we learn.
Behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism are the three broad learning theories most often utilized in the creation of instructional environments. These theories, however, were developed in a time when learning was not impacted through technology. Over the last twenty years, technology has reorganized how we live, how we communicate, and how we learn.
Karen Stephenson states:
“Experience has long been considered the best teacher of knowledge. Since we cannot experience everything, other people’s experiences, and hence other people, become the surrogate for knowledge. ‘I store my knowledge in my friends’ is an axiom for collecting knowledge through collecting people (undated).”That's a pretty good statement for explaining Connectivism!
Here is a link if you're interested in learning more.http://www.elearnspace.org/Articles/connectivism.htm
Reading and learning about Connectivism provided understanding into the changes that we, as learners, all face in the current world. There is a strong partnership between the Constructivist approach to learning and Connectivism...building a personal network. Connectivism provides a learning theory that explains how the learning one undergoes, TRANSFERS to a larger group or organization. We no longer have to deeply understand all that we are 'learning', we just need to know where to plug into the flow of information. The strength of an organization will be in the flow of information.
I was also stuck by this: "Connectivism is driven by the understanding that decisions are based on rapidly altering foundations." This is our daily life! There has been a huge shift for me in focusing not so much on information I can learn, but rather the ability to draw distinctions between important and unimportant information. I use this distinction every day in making decisions for our organization. I wonder how your work has been impact by the information flow? What about the students?
So how are we using this learning theory of 'connectivism'? How are we preparing our students for the information flow and how to interact in this larger group or organization where the information must flow?
Reading and learning about Connectivism provided understanding into the changes that we, as learners, all face in the current world. There is a strong partnership between the Constructivist approach to learning and Connectivism...building a personal network. Connectivism provides a learning theory that explains how the learning one undergoes, TRANSFERS to a larger group or organization. We no longer have to deeply understand all that we are 'learning', we just need to know where to plug into the flow of information. The strength of an organization will be in the flow of information.
I was also stuck by this: "Connectivism is driven by the understanding that decisions are based on rapidly altering foundations." This is our daily life! There has been a huge shift for me in focusing not so much on information I can learn, but rather the ability to draw distinctions between important and unimportant information. I use this distinction every day in making decisions for our organization. I wonder how your work has been impact by the information flow? What about the students?
So how are we using this learning theory of 'connectivism'? How are we preparing our students for the information flow and how to interact in this larger group or organization where the information must flow?
My recent experiences (and homework!) have led me to ponder the design principle: Collaboration and Competition.
"By mutual confidence and mutual aid, great deeds are done, and great discoveries made." (Homer)
Rather than going at it alone, Expeditionary Learning schools, develop students to turn to their peers for encouragement and support. Competition is for their own personal best to achieve higher goals. More collaboration and less competition raises the level of learning through 'connectivism'. "In addition to individual work, small group cooperative projects are at the heart of learning expeditions." Collaboration in action. The work that you do with students everyday is preparing them to collaborate so that they can easily build a personal network and understand the power of that collaboration.
"By mutual confidence and mutual aid, great deeds are done, and great discoveries made." (Homer)
Rather than going at it alone, Expeditionary Learning schools, develop students to turn to their peers for encouragement and support. Competition is for their own personal best to achieve higher goals. More collaboration and less competition raises the level of learning through 'connectivism'. "In addition to individual work, small group cooperative projects are at the heart of learning expeditions." Collaboration in action. The work that you do with students everyday is preparing them to collaborate so that they can easily build a personal network and understand the power of that collaboration.
"Taking care is perhaps one of the most important values behind the principle of Collaboration and Competition. When students take care with their work, they defy low expectations and challenge themselves to do their best. When they take care with their responsibilities to team members, they create an antidote to isolation and selfishness. They discover the bonds of shared commitment that strengthen the school community."
Calendar
Week of March 5 -9th:
CSAP Window
Tuesday 6th:
* RTI meeting 7:15 a.m.
Thursday 8th:
*Love and Logic Parent Training 6 pm. library
Week of March 12 - 16th:
CSAP Window
Tuesday, 13th:
*RTI meeting 7:15 a.m.
Wednesday 14th:
* 4th grade Musical practice 9:30 a.m.
* Sarah and Hanni's Crew to Snow Mtn for Winter Voyage
Thursday 15th:
*Love and Logic Parent Training 6 pm. library
Love and Logic
Teacher-isms:
"Is this the right place for that behavior?" creates thinking -
"Stop that or you're going to have to leave" creates resistance.
When a student is having a bad day, experiment with asking,
"I forgot to give this overdue book to the librarian. Will you do me
a favor and run it back for me?"
Apple Award Classified Representative: Yeah Dolores!
Dolores Moore has been chosen to be our Apple Award Representative for our classified staff!
Dolores, you are so deserving of this recognition!
Thank you for all you have given to our community!
Apple Award Ceremony
Dolores Moore has been chosen to be our Apple Award Representative for our classified staff!
Dolores, you are so deserving of this recognition!
Thank you for all you have given to our community!
Apple Award Ceremony
The Apple Award Ceremony to recognize Mary Sue and Dolores is on Saturday, March 17th.
We have four tickets available for staff. Please let me know by Monday, if you would like one of the tickets as we will need to RSVP immediately (one of those things I'm a bit behind on....)
We have four tickets available for staff. Please let me know by Monday, if you would like one of the tickets as we will need to RSVP immediately (one of those things I'm a bit behind on....)
Featured Folks:
Sniff, sniff....no feature.
Peek Into the Life of Our School:
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| Early Beetles? |
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| Did you know that Cheryl is the least comfortable with the guitar? Who would know! However, Cheryl leaves her comfort zone to meet the interests and needs of students. Model demonstration along with guided practice. Maybe we'll get a demonstration at an All School Meeting!!! (Please, not 'Smoke on the Water!') |
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| Observation & Assessment lead to... |
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| more model - demonstration. Small 'bite size' pieces to build to mastery. Responding to student actions to inform our next teaching move. |
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| Independent practice! |
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| Model demonstration/guided learning. What would we do without our beloved document cameras! |
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| The process of thoughtful reflection. A process we build in to all that we do. |
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| Reflect! A powerful tool for learning! |
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| Networking while constructing their product for Expedition. (Ronald and Ole are willing to take over the school so that Brittany and I can have a spa day.) |
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| Third graders headed out to Snow Mountain for their Winter Voyage. Is that Brittany trying to sneak off the bus??? |
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| Okay....we we were all wondering what might happen at recess on Wednesday! |
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| Ms. Jill's Crew did an awesome job leading All School Meeting I think they must watch American Idol, because some of them sure were singing into the microphone! |
Dr. Seuss's Birthday in Ms. Sarah's Crew
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| Best part of my Thursday! |
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| Jackson, "A Server" Did you get some of those green eggs and ham? |
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| Sarah provides an opportunity for parents, grandparents and significant adults in the lives of her students to join her learning community. |
DAM great trip!
(Denver Art Museum)
6th grade Field Work
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| Love these shots of kids deeply engaged in learning and collaborating. |
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| Expert Speaker for 6th grade Learning Expedition Isn't it incredible how much goes on every week! Isn't it exciting what great learning experiences we have created for our kids! Wow! |
"Nothing is ever done beautifully which is done in rivalship;
or nobly, which is done in pride."
However, when the challenge of competition is channeled toward
surpassing one's own personal best, competition can be a positive and inspiring force.
Have a great weekend!
Deborah
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