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Hi there! My name is Rondean. I’m a fourth-year student studying Biology and Psychology. I enjoy learning and adapting to online culture for both personal and educational reasons. I hope to continue improving my digital skills by incorporating what I’ve learned in this class while also broadening my comfort with digital social interactions.
I also look forward to keeping up with everyone’s interesting perspectives on each topic as we progress through the course!
This refers to the strategies used in an academic setting to facilitate relaying information between teachers and students. I believe teaching strategies are important, as the chosen method can make learning a particular topic more insightful and clear while also reducing the time needed for understanding.
The methods that worked for me:
Networked Pedagogy
Network pedagogy enables a rich learning experience by connecting information among people through a digital space. This approach fosters diversity and provides exposure to different methods, resources, and learning strategies. Social media offers real-time updates on information, allowing for quicker access. For example, if there are any new archaeological discoveries, social media would be updated much faster than a textbook. Additionally, blogs and social media are more interactive and engaging, which helps me form meaningful connections with the material. Finding a niche has also allowed me to create meaningful connections with like-minded people globally. This encourages us to continuously update new information and keeps the eagerness for learning alive.
Social Learning Theory
Social learning theory has been especially helpful for me. Listening to others allows me to expand my educational perspective beyond my initial way of learning and applying information. For example, in this class, visiting other people’s blogs has inspired me to experiment with different formats for presenting information in my own blog. This also encourages me to be more interactive with others and diversify my learning approach.
Roles of the Instructor
Course design and planning: The resources should be user-friendly to locate, with a clear update on the progress of the student
Facilitating learning: Be active in the course by implementing activities, with regular updates to offer support. Studies have shown that instructor presence aids in retention and social presence of peers (Beege et al., 2023).
Building community: Establish an open learning environment among the students. Creating active learning strategies that encourages team-work among the peers
This article provides an in-depth description of the various roles of online instructors.
Based on past experiences, my online learning experience has improved over time. Some instructors struggled to adapt to online spaces in the past, which sometimes caused issues. However, for the most part, it has been a positive experience. That said, it was particularly harder for courses that required a more hands-on approach
Exploring Digital Spaces
Digital learning has broadened my appreciation for education. Being able to access different resources and ideas from social platforms has allowed for a myriad of accessible information.
Pros: Diverse and accessible information
Cons: Incorrect information from social media platforms and conflicting information across online resources.
My contribution to the digital space is to be cooperative and open to discussions about ideas. I also aim to be more interactive and resourceful when gathering information, as well as to give back by updating any misinformation I may have provided.
References:
Beege, M., Schroeder, N. L., Heidig, S., Rey, G. D., & Schneider, S. (2023). The instructor presence effect and its moderators in instructional video: A series of meta-analyses. Educational Research Review, 41, 100564. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2023.100564
Ganyaupfu, E. M. & Department of Economic and Business Sciences; PC Training & Business College; South Africa. (2013). Teaching methods and students’ academic performance. In International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Invention (Issue 9, pp. 29–35).
This was a great read! It provided a clear and concise overview of digital learning spaces. While I personally prefer online learning, I agree with you that face-to-face education has significant advantages. Unlike online learning, in-person classes allow for instant feedback on questions. Additionally, the best way to socialize will always be in person, as it’s often easier to build strong relationships with peers and professors.
I also believe that some courses are simply better suited for in-person learning. For instance, hands-on or practical courses can be challenging to master in an online setting, regardless of what is offered digitally.
Although I don’t engage much in social media, I agree that digital identity is crucial for both current and future employers. I appreciate your perspective on thinking twice before posting, as maintaining a professional image is essential.
This was a fascinating read! Your article thoroughly explored both the pros and cons of digital learning spaces. I was unaware that approximately 265 million children lack access to basic education (Kumar, 2019). I wonder if digital literacy could be implemented as an early learning strategy, so that students can take full advantage of digital learning spaces as they progress. As open education becomes more widespread, I hope this number decreases significantly.
I agree that relying solely on online learning, especially in an asynchronous setting, has its drawbacks. Without the discipline to keep up with the schedule, it’s easy to fall behind. It’s crucial for individuals to establish a structured schedule to maintain a steady learning pace and minimize procrastination-related stress.
Reference
Kumar, S. Influence of open educational resources on educational practices in the Global South. Nat Hum Behav 3, 540–541 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-019-0624-4
This was a very insightful post outlining the digital learning space! I strongly agree that digital literacy is an essential skill in today’s society. Without it, individuals may struggle to progress in both their work and education. Additionally, while distributed and open education provide valuable opportunities, those who lack the ability to navigate online spaces may be unable to take full advantage of these flexible and free learning resources. As education becomes more accessible, it is crucial for everyone to develop strong digital navigation skills.
I also agree that hybrid learning is the most flexible option. I appreciate the idea that, on a day-to-day basis, it allows us to choose whether to attend in person or participate remotely based on our mental and physical well-being. On particularly challenging days, this level of independence enhances flexibility and encourages us to stay engaged in our studies.
My name is Rondean, and I’m currently a fourth-year student studying Biology and Psychology. Initially, I planned to study accounting; however, to fulfill a credit requirement, I took a Biology course and discovered that I really enjoyed it! I also developed an interest in Psychology and later decided to pursue a combined degree in both disciplines.
Distributed education helps bridge the gap between inaccessibility and accessibility. In some cases, learning is limited for individuals facing geographical challenges or time constraints. Open education further bridges the gap by addressing financial barriers such as providing free textbooks and other educational tools, making education not only more flexible but also accessible through free educational resources.
While distributed education offers many advantages, it does have some limitations. Certain subjects or courses may be better suited to in-person instruction. These often include hands-on courses or, depending on the individual, subjects like mathematics that may require more direct interaction and guidance. This article on distributed learning was able to summarize both pros and cons.
Traditional learning typically takes place face-to-face, with students and teachers in the classroom. Online learning, on the other hand, is restricted to being over the internet. Blended learning combines both in-person and online teaching methods. Hybrid learning is the most flexible option, allowing students to choose whether they prefer to attend classes in person or online. Asynchronous online learning works best for me because it lets me take a class without conflicting with my on-campus schedule. It provides the flexibility to plan my study time around when I’m most available.
Digital literacy is the ability to effectively use online resources, ranging from basic to complex concepts. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, online learning has come to the forefront, and it’s been fascinating to see how challenging the transition was for both students and staff. Digital literacy, which encompasses understanding and using online tools—from basic to advanced—is critical. The pandemic highlighted just how important digital literacy is in modern society. Since I am fairly digitally literate, I can easily adapt to online tools, which enables me to have a rich educational experience without needing to be physically present. Additionally, digital literacy enables me to access a wide range of resources that can enhance my overall learning experience.
Apart from Facebook, I don’t have any other social media accounts. Though I rarely post, this can sometimes create an air of mystery about who I am as a person. That said, it’s important to maintain a clean social identity, as it can impact your reputation when job hunting. In today’s digital age, it’s also essential to avoid having a completely dormant account, as companies often look at social media to get a sense of who you are. From an educational perspective, your digital identity can influence the recommendations a faculty member might make for you, as well as impact the types of people who may want to connect with you.
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