My Reflection for week 1 in EDLD 5364

This past week in EDLD 5364 I was introduced to three different theories.  The three theories are the connectivism theory, the constuctivism theory, and the cyborg theory. All three theories dealt with introducing learning with technology and described how learners would approach new information, process it, and put it into action. 

The cyborg theory was a theory that I did not agree with or ever would want to take part in.  This theory was explained in the video by Kevin Warwick called Cyborg Life.  He has participated by placing chips into his nervous system to test out extra senses and connecting other individual’s senses to his own.  He felt as though this was a reality that was going to change the human evolution and he wants to become a cyborg.   Out of the three theories I believe most in the constructivism theory.   In the article, Learning as a Personal Event: A Brief Introduction to Constructivism (1999), I learned that learners bring their knowledge and their experience to whatever the learning situation is.  The article explains that “those unique experiences are the foundation for learning; they provide opportunities for personal connections with new content”.  This allows for each student to learn at their own individual pace.  Constructivists also believe that social interaction in a classroom is important therefore our past beliefs that a quiet classroom is a learning classroom need to be revamped.  Discussing with their peers will help develop a stronger understanding.

Imagine using the ideas from the constructivists and integrating technology effectively in classrooms.   This combination would greatly affect the student’s leaning and would encourage them to want to learn and apply the new content in their everyday lives.

 

 

 

Southwest Educational Development Laboratory, (1999). Learning as a personal event:  A brief

     introduction to constructivism. Retrieved from http://www.sedl.org/pubs/tec26/intro2c.html

 

Warwirk, K. (nd). Cyborg Life [Video file]. Retrieved from

     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RB_l7SY_ngI