Module 4 - Connectivism MindMap

• How has your network changed the way you learn?

My network gives me the ability to access information more readily. The way I learn has not changed; the manner in which I engage information and utilize resources has changed.

• Which digital tools best facilitate learning for you?

The digital tools that best facilitate learning for me are ones that enable me to access information anytime anywhere. Online courses, blogs, wikis, webinars, and discussion boards are tools that I use on a daily basis.

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

When I have questions, I acquire new knowledge from online resources specific to the topic I am seeking, where information is provided by industry professionals. I utilize Google to search for information, blogs, and discussion boards as well as the many database resources available at Walden. I have also found that classmates, instructors, and colleagues can be effective resources to gain new knowledge.

Module 3 - Collaboration

Collaboration has always existed among humans for learning or work with family members as well as neighbors and friends. From the Stone Age to the Iron Age to the Technology Age, humans have and will continue to include new ideas into their existing schema and create new schemas through collaboration. Humans have also always worked independently. I do believe that it is human instinct to interact and work as a group. However, depending on the task at hand, some individual may prefer to work or learn alone.  Technology can facilitate collaboration by allowing individuals to work together in a virtual world on a global scale to exchange ideas and share information. Additionally, according to Yanik &Porter (2009) collaboration among educators and scholars is an effective tool for learning.

Yanik, H., & Porter, W. (2009). Promoting Effective Use of Technology through Teacher-Researcher Collaboration. International Journal For Technology In Mathematics Education, 16(1), 3-10.