connected learning

connected : 

learning connected

the goal : 

the goal For students to become active, self-directed learners who can think for themselves through interactions with others and understanding connections in our world.

the philosophy : 

the philosophy “Experience has long been considered the best teacher of knowledge. Since we cannot experience everything, other people’s experiences, and hence other people, become the surrogate for knowledge. ‘I store my knowledge in my friends’ is an axiom for collecting knowledge through collecting people.” – Kate Stephenson

the philosophy : 

the philosophy Connectivism, "a learning theory for the digital age," was developed by George Siemens (Univ. of Manitoba) to explain the effect technology has had on how we live, how we communicate, and how we learn. The theory basically states that learning is the process of creating connections and developing a network. This involves that process of the student being (1)actively involved in their learning, (2)gaining knowledge from others, and (3)understanding how our world is interconnected.

the philosophy : 

the philosophy “It's interdisciplinary combinations - design and technology, mathematics and art, literature and geography - that produce Apple and Microsoft, YouTube and Google," - Thomas Friedman, the best-selling author of The World Is Flat. Far too often we teach in isolation. Each of us are experts on our subject matter and we rarely dare to stray from them. But this is not how they world works. The world is interconnected. History affects politics, which effects economics with effects scientific development which then affects all of the previous. Students who can understand those connections are better prepared to live the globalized world of the 21st century.

the core idea : 

the core idea

the proposal : 

the proposal The focus of LEARNING CONNECTED is to create an innovative learning culture where students work both independently and collaboratively to enhance their learning through interdisciplinary study.

the proposal : 

the proposal This would be a completely voluntary group of teachers (and eventually students) who can participate as little or much as they like. Technology will be a tool to assist in this goal, not the focus. The group would work together to create student-centered lessons and activities to get students and teachers working together as a team To accomplish this across curricula to reveal and understand the connections in our world. The group would meet occasionally in person and online (again, all purely voluntary.)

sources : 

sources “How to Bring Our Schools Out of the 20th Century,” Time Magazine, December 10, 2006 http://www.time.com/time/magazine/printout/0,8816,1568480,00.html “Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age”, International Journal of Instructional Technology and Distance Learning, Vol. 2 No. 1, Jan 2005 http://www.itdl.org/Journal/Jan_05/article01.htm

connected : 

learning connected