Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Learning Networks

My reflections on Sloep & Berlenga (2011), Learning Networks, Network Learning

We have an organized system for teaching youth. Public school. Now that we are becoming a strong "information-based" society, we are starting to look at different ways to implement continuing education. Time, cost, and location constraints can make it difficult for adults to participate in new learning opportunities. Learning Networks can possibly fill in that void.

There are ways to set up learning networks. One type is self-sustaining. People join and read what others have recommended. There is a function called a "recommender" that participants can use to make suggestions. No one person or organization is in charge of this type of network.

Another learning networks involves an organization or specific group of people setting up a course, recruiting participants, and monitoring and evaluating the work that is done. Some of the courses we have taken through the IT&DML program were set up that way. The instructor set up the course outline, assigned participants to teach specific topics, and monitored and evaluated. A MOOC could also fit into this category.

Questions generated from the reading:
What PSYCHOLOGICAL effects are occurring because we are transforming from a manufacturing to an information-based society? (paragraph one of the introduction)
Do self-sustaining (informal) learning networks cause real learning to happen?
How are PLN's and Learning Networks related? Do we have to share?

2 comments:

  1. I'm moved by your comments about whether or not we "have" to share. How much value, or support is there in this?

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    Replies
    1. "Do we have to share" our PLN or can we just share with others and have a private, unshared space to keep it and process it all?

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