Module 3: Collaboration

I agree with Rheingold that people have a basic instinct to work together collaboratively. I am a strong believer that two heads are better than one. Teamwork allows members to express their ideas to reach a common goal. No one person knows all their is to know about a topic. We must work together to reach the maximum potential. When we work collaboratively we gain knowledge and insight from our group that may not be discovered if the work was completed individually.

Technology is opening the door to collaboration world wide. Due to the capabilities of the Internet and the advancements in technology we now can interact with others across the globe. I never thought that I would be able to obtain a degree by completing classes online. Also, technologies such as wikis, Skype, Googledocs, and Facebook allow individuals to collaborate instantly on specific topics. People from all over the world can collaborate using these technologies because it allows individuals to work together even when they are not at the same place at the same time. I do not believe that all things should be completed collaboratively. However, many subjects and goals align themselves with collaboration and teamwork. I believe that we are entering into a more collaborative society than we have ever experienced before. This will be a transition but the benefits will be substantial. Collaboration is beneficial when it is done effectively. Collaboration is effective when approached with the end in mind. All members must identify the goal and work together to reach the stated goal.

Reference:

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer) (2008). "Way-New Collaboration." featuring
Dr. Howard Rheingold [http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/howard rheingold on
collaboration. html.]

Learning Theories

The blogs by Bill Kerr and Karl Kapp discuss learning theories. The two have different ideas pertaining to learning theories. I believe, like Kerr that the "isms" are here to stay. They do not stand alone and are beneficial to learning. The "isms" are ever changing according to curriculum and standards.

A learner does not show evidence of only one learning theory throughout their learning process. Kapp points out that learning involves more than one process at a time therefore the learner uses a variety of the learning theories throughout the process.

As educators we must recognize that learners obtain knowledge differently. We must be dedicated to finding how the learners retain the presented information and be willing to teach our students according to the learning theories. We as educators can't depend upon one of the "isms". We must embrace them all and use aspects of them all as they apply to the learning!



References:

Kapp, 2007. Retrieved from http://karlkapp.blogspot.com/2007/01/out-and-about-discussion-on-educational.html

Kerr, 2007. Retrieved from http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2007/01/isms-as-filter-not-blinker.html