Learners are like sponges. They can soak up and acquire knowledge readily, or the information presented to them can go "in through one ear and out the other." This is similar to the two different states of a sponge. If it is wet, it easily soaks things up. However, it does not soak things as easily when it is dry. Depending on how the information is delivered to the students, greatly determines to what extent they actually acquire the knowledge. It's not so much the value of what's being learned, but how the learning is being conveyed to the learners.
The article "Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age" explains how learning theories are shifting from learning being an internal, individualistic activity to it presently being more of a networking activity. We now depend on others. Karen Stephenson said, "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. " This principle of networking is an important aspect of connectivism.
'Learning in a Time of Abundance' (Chapter 5 & 6)
7 months ago
3 comments:
Nicole,
As you have so clearly pointed out, it is often the delivery of information that allows it to be absorbed. I hope that some of the Internet tools that we are using in this course will help "soften up" the sponges. :-)
Dr. Burgos
I definitely agree with you. Too often the information being taught to students goes in one ear and out the other...but modifying the delivery of the information can help students "soak up" all the important stuff!
Your analogy, Dr. Burgos and Brooke's comments were dead on concerning the Absorption of information in today’s world. Information can be either or and it all depends on ones readiness to receive the information and the manner in which it’s delivered.
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