Reflections on Connectivism

The network posted previously has changed my learning style in several ways. One way is in the way I teach courses at Southwest Career College. It used to be that teaching innovations were seen as novelties rather than examples of cognitive development and metacognitive learning development. With the recent coursework I have realized the importance of identifying with organizational culture and understandingh of the organization's overall vision, goals and objectives. Another way is in my understanding of the importance of implementing learning strategies that are based on proven theories of learning with metacognition being most influential in recent months.

The digital tools that best facilitate learning for me include those resources found in the internet such as lecture videos, and ebooks found in the ebrary from Walden University. A resource recently discovered is the use of Blogs and Reader subscriptions. I find these tools highly effective with accessing online information that comes to me in the form of email subscripitons and feeder/reader subscription connections. I find the videos in the required reading section very interesting and presented in a way I can understand. The old fashioned way of reading abstract information blends well with new visuals and concept simplification

I gain new knowledge by processing relevant information presented in text, videos, blogs, etc.. I test learning theories in real classroom settings and measure effectiveness empirically. Recently, my students have been using selected websites on such topics as medication information which they must find, interpret, and present to fellow students. This has opened new doors of instructor opportunities.

My personal learning network tends to challenge my gaining new knowledge depending upon who I engage with conversation and exchange of information. At work I have the opportunity to speak with medical school graduates and allied health specialists as well as practicing physicians in the community.