Blog Post #7

The Networked Student
 By Wendy Drexler:

     This video is very important for the 21st century educator. It shows exactly what the classroom is turning into. The future classroom is full of blogs, online teachers and networking! It was interesting to see all of the wonderful things that a student can learn to do alone. The networked student is aloud to take control of their education.
     With all of the many ways that technology can be used, the networked student is able to experiment and for opinions of his/her own.  The networked student creates his/her own PLN with all of the things he/she has learned in class. The best part is, the teacher has not lectured this student. Instead, this student has spent his school days blogging and searching the internet much like we do in EDM310. This kind of learning empowers students to take control of their education.
     At the end of the video, the question was asked, "Why does the networked student even need a teacher?" So many great reasons were given. The networked student needs a teacher because she is the one who teaches how to build the network and take advantage of new opportunities. She offers guidance when the student gets stuck. She shows him how to communicate properly and ask respectfully for help from experts. The teacher teaches the student to be organized. There were many other things mentioned about the teacher of a networked student and I agree with them all. It is important that if a classroom is networked the teacher understand all of these responsibilities. 
     I believe that this idea may work with students over 5th grade, but my elementary students will definitely need a teacher to help them learn the basics!




A 7th Grader's Personal Learning Environment
(PLE)

     A 7th grade student gives a YouTube tour of her Personal Learning Environment. She made organization look very easy. In the beginning of the year she took time out to learn how to navigate and research topics. She used a program called symbaloo and she had so many personal networks all organized. This student used the PLE for her Science class, but I understand that this will be good for any classroom or even office. It is a great way to stay organized! This video had me interested in creating my own PLN! I understand that this project is on the checklist of things to do. I have not yet started, but I can only hope mine will be as good as hers.


Special Assignment
Thomas Suarez: a 12 yr old app developer    
     This 12 yr old boy created an app! He walked the audience through his steps as if it was nothing. This proves that technology is not as hard as most people try to make it. We just need to dig into it and discover all of the possibilities for creations that it has for us. This video teaches that technology is all around us. It is very similar to the "networked student" and supports the idea that the 21st century is going to need to really be up to date in order to effectively teach his/her students.