Reflection # 1: My thoughts on Personal Learning Networks

I like the idea of learning networks, but I have to admit I am uncomfortable with the technology and how to use it with my class, but I want to learn because I think this is an empowering tool. After reading 'World WIthout Walls' I can certainly see the usefulness of having students learn through networks, but there are concerns as well. A quote from the blog states:

"I believe that is what educators must do now. We must engage with these new technologies and their potential to expand our own understanding and methods in this vastly different landscape. We must know for ourselves how to create, grow, and navigate these collaborative spaces in safe, effective, and ethical ways. And we must be able to model those shifts for our students and counsel them effectively when they run across problems with these tools."

World Without Walls: Learning Well with Others
How to teach when learning is everywhere.
by Will Richardson

I agree that we need to explore this technology to help move us forward. However, I sometimes feel we push technology too much because we want to find ways to use it, but it may not necessarily be helping the students learn. I think we are at the beginning stages and over time it will become more clear when it is apppropriate to use certain technologies in certain situations.

For a very long time our actions have been controlled by outside sources and it continues on today with media, government, corporations, etc controlling (or at least influencing) what we see, do and want. This is mainly because we live in a profit based society where the goal is to get ahead of everyone so you get richer (The Rat Race). This leaves us with a competitive society full of 'Have's' and 'Have not's'. As well, we usually get our information from media with their own political agenda and one sided story, but getting it from a collorative group with different perspectives opens the story up and can possible lead to more wide ranging opinions and can help spread the truth.

On a more positive side, I love the idea of the world being connected and working in a collaborative, instead of competitive, way. Using the internet people can work collaboratively to help solve problems and learn together.
I believe using the internet in a positive way can start whole movements of empowering people again to take control of society. It gives people a venue to meet and share ideas and opinions and I think training students to use these tools now in schools can have huge beneficial impacts in the future. In other words, it gives people a voice again.

Clarence Fisher is a Middle School teacher in Snow Lake, Manitoba, Canada. He joined our class via Skype video and gave us some insightful information. Clarence has been using PLN's with his students to collaborate with students outside of USA and Canada. He finds this very worthwhile, but admitted sometimes he had projects that completely failed and we should not be afraid of that. I personally found that reassuring as sometimes I hold my self back from using technology because I want everything to be successful and worry it might not work.

From reading Clarence's blog, REMOTE ACCESS "Are Ideas Contagious?", it shows the teacher centered model and how it is out dated. However, the newer model has ideas and input coming from various sources on a learning network I think this concept of collaborative engagement for ideas is more creative, student centered, and effective. Not only does it help the student expand and refine their idea, but the idea can now spread to other parts of the world. What a great way to help humanity.

Final thoughts:

• Collaboration over competition
• Learning networks empower