Thing #1- The Networked Student (11.5 Things)

Wow! What a lucky student! I want to be in that teacher's class!

If I want to be a "Network Sherpa" or a "student of Connectivism," I have a lot of learning ahead of me. I love that it's the teacher's role to teach the students how to build this network and to take advantage of learning opportunities. Sounds like fun for both the students and teacher. Much better than lectures and reading from a text book! And obviously much more relevant to learning and succeeding in the 21st century. I'd love to make this (or something like this) work in my class, so I'd better learn a lot in this 11.5 Things!

What a great lesson for students to take control of their own learning and to make new connections with others who will strengthen the learning process. It seems ridiculous that you can learn everything from the teacher. I certainly don't know everything, so my kids would be out of luck! Better instead to help facilitate their exploration and learning. And really, at the point that a student could create a virtual textbook of sorts, clearly that student has learned more than in the traditional class.

And, just as an added perk that I'll have to try, I love that I can hear lectures from the best professors from around the world. That's just cool! Maybe I'll go to Harvard tonight. :)