Networked Learning Pros & Cons

As I first went through the texts and the videos, the idea of connected learning seemed great. The teachers seemed very positive and excited and the students seemed happy. But, as I continued to watch the videos and think about the connection between everything I became more and more skeptical of this approach working on its own.

I worry that this approach, mainly in the Katie Takinbas video, in some cases would overcome traditional learning and things will be forgotten. A good example is cursive writing — many schools are backing away from teaching this to the point where some students are getting through school unable to sign their signature. I worry that this approach will swing to far on the pendulum and basic skills will not be taught in light of letting the students follow their passion.

However, with all of that being said, I do think it is important to inspire students too follow their passion through connected learning assuming basic skills are still part of the equation. This is different than how it has been conceptualized in the past simply because we now have easy access to a variety of networks to connect. These connected networks help learners of any age follow their passions.

In addition to some of the points made earlier, there are challenges to this way of learning. First, in order for this to be successful the teacher would need to be open to this style of learning. Through experience, I’ve worked with many people who find it hard to work with new ideas like this. It requires a different way of thinking and more extensive prep, which I would argue is another challenge. In addition to prepping content to teach, the teacher also much learn how to become a facilitator. The ability to direct facts to students is different than being able to hold back that direction, as one of the teachers in our readings suggested, and allow the students to use one another to solve the problems and only ask the teacher for help as a last resort. A third challenge is making sure that learners actually learn something from the connected learning activities. Using video games to teach student content could work really well. I remember as far back as second using computer games on an Apple II to learn the multiplication tables. However, there is a danger in relying too much on the games. It could be very easy for the learners to fall into the story and forget the reason why they are playing the game in the first place.

Overall, I think this idea of connected learning is the way of the future. Technology, like augmented & virtual reality, is being developed so that we can virtually visit anywhere in the world. Augmented reality will allow our own local world to come life constantly offering information for us to learn and connect with others on those shared interests. Social media networks are finding ways to connect us in a more meaningful way.