Corinne’s Blogfolio

I just attended a George Siemens’ lecture, live on ustream, from the TLT Summit 2008 in Saskatoon. This was my first time watching a ustream broadcast; it was my first time hearing George Siemens, and it was my first time attending a keynote at a conference-online. Here are four words to capture my experience: exciting, overwhelming, interesting, and fast-paced.

On ustream, there is chat box next to the video screen. This was an interesting feature to the online viewing because you can chat with your colleagues without making a sound and interrupting the speaker. Silent chatter (typing) occurs simultaneously to the lecture, which is kind of a neat concept because you can ask questions, discuss, or clarify what is said. I found it kind of cool but I missed the last half of the chatter because the bar on the left side of the box was frozen in one spot-oops- I was wondering why no one was chatting.

However, about the lecture…

It was captivating and complicated;). I was interested to hear how the role of the teacher is changing or needs to change. With technology, the teacher is no longer the bearer of all knowledge. Siemens’, referencing Clarence Fisher, says the teacher should be more like a Network Administrator. In other words, (I think this is a correct translation) the teacher is a facilitator or a guide to learning: making sure students are learning from diverse viewpoints and resources. Additionally, the teacher can help by observing and documenting what students comprehend, and where they might need some clarification. However, I, personally, think student’s still need to apply this knowledge not only by creating, sharing, and learning with others but also by USING the knowledge in a real-to-life context. How can this knowledge be applied in their local school, local community, or in the online community?

This brings me to the learner. Siemens’ states one of the best ways students can learn is through exploration driven by interest. He also mentions social learning (noted in my last blog entry) from the expert and the amateur. I have experienced and have seen the power of social learning and collaboration with the expert and the amateur, and I think both groups of people are essential for learning; everyone benefits from the knowledge of each person participating at their own level of understandings.

One point Siemen’s discusses, which I think is very valuable and relevant to what I have observed, is the need for more adult mentorship with technology. Adults need to actively explore current technology, so they can be knowledgeable guides for students.

It was a great lecture!

Corinne

Filed under: Relfections, Uncategorized and tagged Clarence Fisher, George Siemens, TLT Summit 2008, ustream