Blog Post 6

The Network Student By: Wendy Drexler
I personally feel that an online class can be affective for students, but I also think it can only allow students to gain knowledge is they are provided with great instructions, sources, and even a textbook for backup. I feel that Wendy Drexler's ideas are great, but I also think that this method should also provide alternate sources of learning for students as well. It is great allowing children to search the web personally to find sources and pages relevant to the topic being discussed but I also think that some guidance and rules one on one should be provided.

I feel that providing guidelines, rules, or instructions may help those children who like myself would sit down in front of the computer and say to themselves, "Great, where do I begin?" Allowing the children to communication together combining their thoughts and ideas is great but I think should be modified and corrected when they are straying off topic. Having instruction personally from a teacher can create a sense of comfort and also make a child feel as if they can engage and dig deeper into the information they may find. I think using the internet creates great options and adventures for children to explore but I also feel it could be maybe be too wide of a range of information and could possibly overwhelm some children.

Teachers do allow support in using this system. They still encourage each child when they achieve their goals. I personally feel I am not prepared or ready to be a teacher of networked students. I would be unsure of how to really connect to each child on a personal level to encourage or praise their talents, interests, and achievements.

Wendy Drexler's Blog, After reading more about her I now strongly admire her desires and passions for wanting to help children K-12 succeed by using online tools. I feel that she has properly planned everything out very well. By incorporating standard curriculum, providing choices for the students, and restricting certain websites to ensure the safety of her students.

I think it is great how Wendy states her awareness of possible issues that will occur. By stating this it shows that she can be open to changes and finding ways to fix and better her ideas! With more instruction and learning on how to use this tool I think I may possibly be able to succeed in teaching while using this.

A 7th grader's Personal Learning Environment or PLN
She has practiced in her 7th grade science class how to use these tools. Every morning in class she can view what needs to be done or has the option to do what she desires to work on. Although this allows freedom and creative learning I feel it might also hold a child back from engaging in social skills.
Although this PLE is great for providing anything and everything you might need by just the click of a mouse, I felt a downfall when she sent her paper to be reviewed by another student through email. I feel that by doing this activity in person face to face it allows a child and even an adult to connect and learn how to deal with fixing mistakes in a social communicating way. I think it is a great idea but I also feel using classroom basics can create just as much interest in a child's learning if the educator is willing to go the extra mile and spice up his/her teaching styles!