Daily Archives: June 23, 2013

Burris – Week 7: Learning Networks

  • What types of trends do you see in the ways audio and still/video media are being used to support learning?

As I review my own materials in grad school, discuss various topics on technology with my daughter, and read assignments in and out of this class, I am amazed at how fast those within and out of the classroom learn from audio and video.  For me, I know watching someone model or demonstrate for my is my preferred learning method.  It is like if a picture is worth a thousand words, then a video is worth a thousand pictures.  Because audio and video have the power to bring alive a subject, teach a subject at a faster pace, and teach those who may not be able to learn via reading, it is a powerful tool to expand the base of knowledge and increase rate of knowledge gain.  Audio and video have the power to inject emotion, situational context, and and energy that may not come from reading.  Additionally, it can reach the learner who does not have the ability, confidence, or knowledge to reach out to someone in order to seek assistance.

  • Specifically, how do you see these media enhancing participatory learning within the Web 2.0 context beyond that possible by text media?

The funny thing about watching or hearing other people is you (the viewer) are drawn into the conversation.  There is a need to interact and make contact with the other person – even if it is just a recording.  Having audio or video can draw the learner into the process in a different way through the type of engagement that is required by the medium.  It changes the motivation in the interaction, which can in turn, change the motivation to learn.

  • Richardson & Mancabelli describe six new literacies for 21st century learning environments. Which of the six measure of literacy do you see as the most challenging? Why? Are there any you would add?

“Managing, analyzing, and synthesizing multiple streams of simultaneous information” has to be one of the toughest to implement at this moment in education just due to the infrastructure, hardware, and software that is needed.  While it is recognized and valued, it is expensive to purchase and include.  As the article states, this cannot happen unless every child has a device and that has not happened in our schools yet.

I would add “Develop a mental/psychological flexibility for embracing change” since technology improves/changes so rapidly.