Life, like life-long learning has three distinct phases – the past, the present, and the future. With the incredible advancement of technology and the rapid growth of the industry, the way in which we learn will consistently change. While there may be fundamental principals of learning that stay the same throughout these stages such as questioning and discovering, the way in which the learner acquires new knowledge will change.
In Rethinking Learning: The 21st Century Learner presented by the MacArthur Foundation, Mizuko Ito discusses the transition from formal learning to informal learning and how we can utilize our social networks to bring these concepts together. Traditionally students learned with a paper and pencil in a classroom setting where classes were very instructor driven; however, with the emergence of technology students have no become networked in a completely different way. Whatever information they want to find the can. . . .the world’s knowledge is at their fingertips.
Wendy Drexler in Networked Student introduces the new role of the instructor. One of “learning architect, modeler, learning concierge, connected learning incubator, network Sherpa, synthesizer, and change agent.” Meaning that the new instructor helps the student build the skills necessary to become a networked learner. Once of the most important aspects of coming a successful networked learner in relation to Web 2.0 technologies is the ability to search the internet and social media sites for specific content while recognizing which sources are credible and can be trusted. The new instructor models the behaviors he or she is teaching and remains knowledgeable about emerging and powerful tools.
However, Mizuko Ito makes a very powerful statement regarding technology use – you use it when you can and when the opportunity is right and you put it away when it is not needed. I have worked with many instructors in the adult learning world who believe that their content cannot be taught virtually, that it is not the same or as effective as teaching in a face to face course. What these instructors fail to realize is that just because there is a movement to virtual technologies, which does not mean that they are being replaced or not needed. I think there is a fear that if we bring together formal and informal learning opportunities then there is no job security for them. While technology is an ever-present factor in the lives of today’s student population, it does need to become the sole learning enabler.
The Connected Learner provides a case study that perfectly showcases the joining together of informal and formal training in the case of 17-year old Clarissa who expanded her creative writing techniques through online role-playing in a fantasy world. By joining this online community Clarissa was able to informally practice and perfect her writing style based upon feedback received by peers. When the techniques Clarissa experimented with on the role-playing site were perfected she then applied these same principles to her formal education within the classroom. I think that one of the reasons why informal educational opportunities are so important is that students seek out these educational opportunities on there own and learn through enjoyment. Additionally, there is no pressure to meet specific criteria in order to receive a specific grade – there is constructive feedback in an environment where the student feels safe and secure in exploring with an online community of shared interest.
Teaching via social media and Web 2.0 technologies will never be an easy task. Everyday new technologies or sites are emerging. With students having different learning styles it can be challenging to have a functional understanding of all the tools that are available for use. For instance, I completely forgot about Podcasts and iTunes U until it was discussed in Networked Student. But, these free podcasts from some of the most skilled and advanced leaders in a specific curriculum are valuable resources for students. These micro-units of learning can be just what the student needs in order to gain the knowledge they are looking at the moment it is needed. They can also provide the instructor with invaluable contacts with whom to connect with students.
Additionally, I think there is too much focus on formally evaluating students. I believe that evaluation should occur through a student being able to synthesize a solution for a specific problem rather than the memorization of content. Unfortunately, this is also a challenge in informal education. How do you evaluate a group of students who may have all used different forms of informal training?
In my work-place I always try to meet as many individuals from other organizations as possible, I like to expand my network and build those connecting relationships because you never know when you might need that necessary contact or piece of information in the future. Today’s learning environment is becoming networked in much the same way. The learner is developing peer-to-peer relationships, student-to-instructor relationships, and student-to-knowledge expert relationships through online resources.