Learning in New Media Environments

What does Learning in New Media Environments mean to me?

Mike Wesch's video really intrigued me and got me thinking about how mass participation in the 21st century technology world can be best promoted, both individually and in the classroom. As Wesch explained, changes from the media affect a "whole society."As I saw(in the video) with New Guinea and the introduction of the census book media, I think technology is doing a similar thing to our society. I think as an individual and an educator this media can be very effective if promoted and used the right way. I think we need to be ready for this change and put our best foot forward. Wesch's idea of children being more "knowledge able" resonated with me as well. Technology use, especially the Ipads,ipods and laptops, allow teacher to tap into children's multiple intelligences and learn 21st century skills.

As a teacher, this concept of being familiar and comfortable with what is shaping society(currently technology) is very important for people to be successful. Integrating technology into the classroom has really changed the way students see learning. They are now becoming active learners in their own learning process and technology is in a sense individualizing education.As an educator, I do all I can to make children feel comfortable and be able to use their critical learning skills. I recognize I am still a learner and am learning best practices for children and technology has become one of them. Technology may be "rewriting society" but I also believe as an individual, teacher and leader that it is enhancing it as well through networks, connections, and the higher order thinking skills promoted(analyzing, synthesizing, criticizing,and creating).I also found Wesch's comment on moving children from being "knowledgeable to knowledge able" very important and a statement that should be valued. To me education should be something that is lifelong,applicable and not something that is short term and forgotten. Our new media, technology, really breaks down the term understand( being able to analyze, criticize,synthesize,etc) and helps children become 21st century literate citizens. Children become active learners in their education and learn through/in hands on, interactive ways(applications) that hopefully promote intrinsic motivation for children and life long learners that truly understand( longterm) and can apply their learning to real life. As an individual and educator who is impacting this and next generations children, I am fully onboard the technology train and hope to promote success in all ways possible.

Visitors and Residents Reflection

Watching Dr. David Wite's video on visitors and residents,Residents and Visitors of online engagement has made me rethink my identity as a technology user. In his video, he describes two different identities: the visitor and the resident. He defines a visitor as a person who uses the web only as a collection of tools and does what he/she needs to do but has no social persona online.A resident  on the other hand lives a portion of their life online, is a part of different networks and uses the web as a social space.What helped me visualize these terms more than just their oral definition was the words Dr. White associated each identity with.

After listening to his video, I realized that in general I now see myself more as a resident than a visitor. However, in different contexts and cultures( as Dr. White states), I become different online users.On the continuum, if 1 was visitor and 10 was resident, i would see myslef as a 7 moving more in the direction of a resident.

 In the past I had used the internet more as a visitor. My interent use was limited by only looking up specific words or terms for school, playing online games, being a member of facebook to see other's pictures and using other web tools.I was not informed of how I could use the internet and technology to be a part os social networks. My educational ideology was seeing the web solely as a collection of tools in " an untidy tool box."In a sense, at home and in my spare time away from my career as an educator, i still am a visitor. I like to escape from education at times and just use the internet as a tool for finding gossip, buying softball equipment or watching television shows.

 As I have become more interested in the field of education, I see myself more as a resident.I have learned more efficient ways to use the web to connect with others and have become motivated to become 100% resident. I am a part of twitter and use Tweetdeck for opportunities to read, share educational strategies and best practices with and from others in the education field. I have also started to create my own PLN, professional learning network. I use Facebook, pinterest, twitter( social media) to extend my relationships with preexisting friends in the education field.

In the future, I would like to become more of a resident in all different contexts because of its benefits to me as an educator and the relationships I form due to it. As I become more informed of all the social media networks and tools to connect me to others, it amazes me and i want to be included. Being connected to others allows me to see what others are doing as well as for me to share my ideas with others all over the world.Education is my passion and I would love to spread it with others and keep my learning a continual cycle.

Visitors and Residents Video