In The Networked Student, Wendy Drexler explains what it means to be a networked student. Being a networked student means that you will need a quality PLN (Personal Learning Network.) Having a good PLN will connect you to some of the best Professors, Lectures, Blogs, etc... in the world. When you have a PLN, and create a blog or WIKI of your own where you put everything that you have learned, you are then helping other students and may even come part of their PLN.
Being a networked student doesn't mean that you don't need a teacher. Your teacher will be the one that shows you how to build your network and take full advantage of the opportunities presented by your network. The teacher will be the one to help you if you have a problem, teach you how to ask properly for help, and to help you decide what information that you find should or should not be used.
In EDM 310, we are currently learning how to be networked students. If it were not for Dr. Strange, this wouldn't be possible. He has guided us by giving us projects and teaching us how to use the tools necessary. We do not have a textbook, and we do not meet in a classroom every day. But, we are connected through technology where we can collaborate with him, and our fellow classmates.
Being a teacher in the 21st century will mean that you have to be a lifelong learner, as will your students. I think with the help of my PLN alone, I am ready to be a networked teacher.
The PLN that this student created is much like the one that I created. Because we are both students, we have all of our links needed for school on our PLN. Using Symbaloo is an easy way to organize your PLN to where you know exactly where everything is, and it is all on one page.
Teachers also have to create the environment in which learning takes place. That is a challenge a lot of teachers never think about. They just want to follow the plans of others. That often does not work! You recognize that! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThoughtful. well written.
I believe that the environment in which we learn is the most important part. We must be creative in our teaching strategies to ensure that! Thank You, Dr. Strange!
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