As a 21st century learner, my network provides me with information and support from different people and the use of various technologies. After creating a very challenging mind map, as a professional and college, it now behooves me to get on board with network connections. I now understand the value of networks for I will not otherwise be successful professionally or academically. Therefore, I can no longer personally use my family/friend circle and local media while trying to learn something new, instead I must create networks which, simply defined, are connections between entities. By using these networks – of people, of technology, of social structures, of systems, of power grids, etc. – learning communities can share their ideas with others, thereby “cross-pollinating” the learning environment (Davis, Edmunds & Kelly-Bateman, 2008)
To be honest, I was leery about Facebook and Twitter as I heard so much negative talk such as these were gossip sites for people without a life who use them as their daily dose of fame. The internet and local news would report harmful viruses on Facebook which could destroy your computer. On the contrary, during this course, I received a clear understanding of how valuable social networking is to me as a learner and a professional instructional designer. For example, the principles of connectivism includes such facts as learning and knowledge rest in the diversity of opinions, learning is a process of connecting specialized nodes or information sources, learning may reside in non-human appliances, capacity to know more is more critical than what is current known, nurturing and maintaining connections is needed to facilitate continual learning, ability to see connections between fields, ideas, and concepts is a core skill, currency (accurate, up-to-date-knowledge) is the intent of all connectivist learning activities (Davis, Edmunds & Kelly-Bateman, 2008)
With this information, I can increase the use of digital tools to best facilitate my learning. My computer and researching the Internet has been my most influential digital tool as I am able to gather information for personal and professional use at any time. I am an intensive researcher, but Google is the most frequently used cite for me. Other digital tools I have or will use in the near future to facilitate my learning are Email, Facebook and Twitter I can use to communicate with friends, family and exchange quality and important information. As a member of ASTD, I can connect to others websites, email, and Linked-In. We learn a wealth of knowledge from experienced trainers and designers of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). I find You-tube videos valuable when preparing seminars, viewing as course assignments and researching. At Townsend Learning Center I learn through email, video, Face book and Linked-in along with various forms of technology.
My most recent and very valuable learning tools are through Walden University online learning. When I have questions, I gain new knowledge from online course materials, researching and answering instructor discussion questions, interacting with classmates on discussion boards, blogs feeds, videos, researching through library and internet resources.
My personal learning networks support the central tenets of connectivism because connectivism has expanded my social dimensions of learning and has broaden my learning environments to new heights. I am determined to continue to use social networking as an essential platform for learning and teaching instructional design and technology as it is inevitable for me to stay connected to the virtual world of learning. I will use my network connections as a lifestyle of ever learning to reach and teach others all over the world as I work on mastering the technological skills needed to be a successful instructional designer.
References
APA Citation: Davis, C, Edmunds, E, & Kelly-Bateman, V. (2008). Connectivism. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved
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