Connectivism

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• How has your network changed the way you learn?

 A couple weeks ago, I was sharing with my kids my memories about the way we had to research to complete our homework in elementary school. I don't want you to think that I'm very old, I'm just talking about the life in the 70's and 80's.  We have experienced big changes during the last years.  Most of our students can't visualize that in the past there was no Internet.  Technology plays an important place in our learning process.  As a kid, I had to search in old encyclopedias.  A was sharing with my kids, how we had to visit some neighbors to borrow search for information in their encyclopedias to complete our assignments.  We were searching for different versions of encyclopedia and old magazines for information.  My experience as a child, allows me the opportunity to understand the technological transition.  Technology has become and important tool in my learning.  The advantage of finding the information immediately and updated has facilitate my learning experience.  One important detail, is the need to evaluate the resources we research from.

• Which digital tools best facilitate learning for you?

The integration of computers in our life continues to grow in high speed for many persons.  Most of it, includes the use of the Internet.  It is interesting to see how we depend on the Internet for many daily activities.  The Internet, has become part of our lives.  I see the computer as a powerful tool.  It allows me learning and working tools.  We need to learn to make the best use of these tools.  Humans are managers of these powerful tools for learning.

• How do you gain new knowledge when you have questions?

Technology has facilitated the exchange of information.  The frequent research for answers to our questions, has change the way we find answers and solve problems.  The reading process in fundamental.  As a teacher reading is fundamental in my classroom and I always include it in my plans.  I use this tool to troubleshoot technology issues.  Frequent research takes me from a website to another.  Blogs provides us with connections and experiences of other learners that are searching for answers in similar topics.  I frequently use blogs and videos on youtube.  YouTube provides many videos of tutorials of how to do many things.

• In what ways does your personal learning network support or refute the central tenets of connectivism?

Today the majority of the people have to connect knowledge with prior ideas.  The use of these technological tools help to provide information.  A good example, is the use of cellphones on the youth.  As educators, we need to find and facilitate connections for the effective use of cellphones in education.  There are many tools we can mention.  The most important fact is how we learn and how we cam use technology to enrich our learning experience.