1. The Networked Student by Wendy Drexler
The Networked Student is a movie by a high school student that shows how students can now learn by using technology and networking. They explore and learn by building their own PLN or personal learning network. Although I think this is a good idea and may work for some, I do not fully support this learning initiative.
As a future educator, I would not want to use this technique as a child's sole source of learning. There is no textbook used and barely any need for a teacher. The student seems to be fully responsible for what they decide to learn and include in the PLN. This is fine but I think this technique would be better used as a supplemental form of teaching and learning. I do not understand the point in learning how to become an affective teacher, only to teach students how to manage information online. Maybe I just do not fully get the entire concept of a student being networked, but from what I see, I do not like it.
As stated before, I can see this being used as supplemental instruction. In addition to using a textbook and the traditional way of teaching and learning, students could be responsible for a PLN to keep the information fresh and updated. This could maybe be a project grade for a student, but do not think an entire semester should be filled with this type of instruction. It seems kind of similar to Dr. Strange's EDM 310 class, and this is definitely not a good way for me to be taught or learn things. I can imagine younger students struggling with the concepts of managing a PLN.
2. A 7th Grader's Personal Learning Environment
I liked this video much better than the previous one. It shows the PLE from a student's point of view and makes it seem more appealing. I would love to have everything for Dr' Strange's class all in one place like the student has all of her work instead of having to go to several different pages and shared documents to find assignments.
3. Smartboards
The two blog posts that we had to read were against using Smartboards in the classroom beacuse they are "basically useless". These two bloggers have valid reason for being against using smartboards in classrooms but I found some that make the opposite argument. The link is http://www.waukeshaschools.com/WIT/smartBoard/benefits.htm. The main downside to using the boards is that they are expensive and have no real meaningful purpose. The upside is that they are more attention grabbing for students and allow teachers to present lessons in a new way.
