Connectivism

My network has changed the way I learn in so many ways, especially since becoming a Walden Educational Technology student. Walden has forced me to go outside my "comfort zone" and Skype for the first time in my life. It's a fun adventure learning differently by collaborating virtually vs. face-to-face which is what I was accustomed to before Walden. While I used to learn by reading and highlighting textbooks, and using Google to find all my reference materials, now I learn by watching podcasts and reading scholarly articles. Before Walden, I had never learned by reading blogs or wikis, which now I do regularly. My ways of learning have really changed immensely since becoming a Walden University student.

The digital tools that best facilitate learning for me are videos. I am a visual learner and need to "see" what is going on. I learned how to use my classroom Mimio tool through watching an instructional video. As a Walden student I also learn a lot from the resource videos that include real-life teacher experiences in them. In addition, this year I have begun using http://nsdl.org/resources_for/k12_teachers/ as a great digital tool for Science. Lastly, I have learned quite a bit from researching websites, like http://www.learningcommons.org/educators/tools/, that help guide educational technology teachers/students in their learning.

Learners learn new knowledge best when they ask critical thinking questions. When I have questions, the best way I learn new knowledge is by completing a web search for my answer. I am careful to read only trusted resources. In addition to completing web searches, I learn new knowledge by communicating with my instructors and Walden professionals. I frequent Walden's Live Chat frequently, inquiring on new information. This helps me get my answers quick and retain the learning for the next time the situation arises.