I decided to look more in-depth about what the Extend collaborator module had to say. I chose to create an artifact using the key points from the collaborator module because as an educator I believe that collaborating is important to improve your own knowledge and also a way for others to learn from you. I’m not the best when it comes to technology but I decided to challenge myself and share my thoughts through an infographic.
This module explores 4 sections for online collaborators, it offers ways to explore, engage, extend and empower our personal learning networks through collaborating.
First, we should be exploring what is offered to us. Sharing, connecting and reaching out to as many people as we can, so our ideas can expand. Steven Johnson mentions in his video “ Where Good Ideas Come From” that we seem to disconnect when it comes to collaborating with others; however, the only way for our creative minds to form new ideas is to connect with others and branch off their ideas to create something new. Twitter would be a great app to use in a classroom, it gives your students the ability to connect with others and learn about their views.
Next, it is time to engage, Dr. George Siemens mentions in his video “Overview of connectivism” that “social connection is a process of learning”. This was a key moment that stood out to me because, in my opinion, it sums up what this whole collaborator module is trying to teach us. Connecting and being social with others is a form of learning and gaining new knowledge. I know from experience that when I hear or see someone else’s ideas online or in person, I like to take what they said and form it into my own thoughts so it will keep expanding for future learners. With your PLN’s you have the freedom to share with whoever you feel like and they get to see what you have created yourself.
Next is to extend your knowledge, not only twitter but multiple other digital tools can be used to create and alter our personal learning networks; however, we do not realize what important information is being edited out from our lives. Eli Parser mentions in his Ted Talk “ Beware of Online Filter Bubbles” that filter bubbles are affecting how we view the world. We have to extend our knowledge before we form a final opinion.
Finally, it is time to empower, we are constantly growing and building our personal learning networks, from everything we search on the web, to other people that we choose to learn about. It’s time to focus on your own PLN’s, making it stronger and personalize it any way you want. There are many ways to show your PLN through the use of Twitter, Google drawing, YouTube etc. Share and map out your ideas for others to see and make your personal learning network anything you desire.
Thanks for reading,
Elysse