In today’s technological world I believe learners are like USB flash drives also known as "memory sticks." I think that now days students have the capacity to capture, restore and retrieve all types of information. If information is clearly organized learners can have the ability to make decisions and form connections which according to Siemens’ article "nurturing and maintaining connections is needed to facilitate continual learning, and the ability to see connections between fields, ideas, and concepts is a core skill." I completely agree with Siemens’ statement "How people work and function is altered when new tools are utilized." I believe that learners are like an USB flash drive because there is always room for more information and eventually more room for knowledge to grow and expand. In a way I view their brain like a filing folder, which contains all these "documents" that can consists of ideas, valuable information, personal experiences, questions, etc. I think that students are able to capture information at all times and be able to either learn something new from it or make personal reflections which will help them evaluate it and from there, develop their personal academic/educational growth.
Siemens, G. (2005, January). Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age. International Journal of Instructional Technology and Distance Learning, Retrieved January 27, 2009
The Changing Nature of Knowledge
Retrieved January 27, 2009.
I love your analogy! I am often amazed at not only the amount of information that my students can recall, but the method and manner they use to store all the data. I too believe that learning is an ongoing practice and with the correct form of instruction, scaffolding, and nurturing the possibilities of some students is amazing.
ReplyDeleteGreat analogy, especially for this class! It made me think too that many general education students have their files well organized on their "USB" but it also explains my students with disabilities trying to search all over for that information- it may be disorganized, hidden somewhere, or maybe deleted. You are also making me want to add some more visuals to my blogs. Yours really captured my attention.
ReplyDeleteKarla,
ReplyDeleteYes, a (not "an" because the work starts with the sound of "y") USB flash drive is a great analogy because it depends on both what is stored and what is added to it overtime changing its nature and keeping it up to date!
Dr. Burgos
Karla, you are amazing. What a perfect analogy! :) I love how you compare students brains to a filing folder where they can pull out different ideas and information. Our brains are truly amazing!!!
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