Connectivism through Network Connections

 

Keep on blogging!

While surfing the internet, I came across the following blogs that were meaningful to this week’s topics of problem solving methods. They are http://www.edutopia.org/blog/design-thinking-betty-ray and http://www.mathgoodies.com/articles/problem_solving.html  As an elementary teacher I am always interested in reading about different developments in the field of education. 

The first blog from Edutopia.org is written by Betty Ray. She writes about the idea of “Design thinking, which is a dynamic, creative and collaborative approach to problem solving, presents a unique model for educators who wish to facilitate from within the class, rather than impart knowledge to it.” (Ray, 2012).  Participants are expected to solve problems by finding and sorting through information, collaborating with others, and iterating their solutions based on real world, authentic experience and feedback.  In design thinking participants work in groups and work through the six different steps of: 1) Identify Opportunity, 2) Design 3) Prototype 4) Get Feedback 5)Scale and Spread and 6) Present. This idea is a unique approach and focuses on people having to work together through these steps to solve problems. This approach could be adapted to serve those students in the younger grade levels.

The second blog I found was on mathgoodies.com.  It discusses how problem solving is an important component of mathematics education because it is the single vehicle which seems to be able to achieve the function, logical and aesthetic levels of thinking. Knowing how to do math is essential due to it practical role to individuals in society. By using a problem solving approach skills can be developed that are needed to solve the problem in context, thus making the connection between mere classwork and real life experiences. There are many different ideas on this website as well in addition to blogs.   

Additional blogs to read...

As I continue my blog journey, I may have found one of the best (IMO) blogs thanks to a link from one of my WaldenU, classmates Kimberly Meyer.  She found the blog of Big Dog Little Dog, http://bdld.blogspot.com/   The title itself, in addition to some of the language used by the author, enlightens the subject material discussed in a humorous way.  This is one to definitely take the time and read. 

More information on my chosen blogs...

In my previous posting, I mention 3 blogs which I am choosing to follow for my WaldenU assignment.  The first one is called http://minutebio.com/blog  I chose this one as it stresses the importance of social media in blogging and technology today in general.  With a quick "tweet" through Twitter, the user can post instant information or experiences and spread the word.  The use of social media is going to continue to grow and is something to continue watching.

The second blog I chose to follow http://www.upsidelearning.com/blog/index.php/tag/instructional-design/.  I chose this not only for the author I mentioned in the last post, but as I continued reading the entire blog, the majority of items mentioned were things I was interested in or could relate to. 

Lastly, the third blog http://www.upsidelearning.com/blog/index.php/tag/instructional-design/ is done by a former teacher.  She and I both have similar Master's Degrees.  We have both taught in the public education realm. We both reside in Florida.  I also found her blog to be very personal and informal.  Almost as if I was having a face to face conversation with someone I had worked with or known for years.  It brought me comfort to read her blog as I face the unknown territory that lies in front of me and seek to go out of my comfort zone. 

Karen  

Blogs to follow

As part of an assignment for my latest class at WaldenU I have to post links to 3 different blogs or newletters which I feel have relevant content related to the field of instructional design.  Here are the three I have chosen:

http://minutebio.com/blog/

http://www.upsidelearning.com/blog/index.php/tag/instructional-design/  (The author Aneesh Bhat tells about her experiences as she began her instructional design career. Her words immulate how I might feel after a career change. I will continue to follow her with peaked interest.)

http://karlakmetz.wordpress.com/2012/04/25/distance-learning-instructional-design-strategies-series-supplemental-materials/  (This author received her Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Special Education Technology. Her tie to K-12 education is of interest to me.)

Charting Unknown Territory

If all is going according to plan, I am now a blogger.  For my class at WaldenU, I had to set up a blog account, post some words and update it weekly based upon the different assignments I am given.  I have to say, that it has taken me some time to get to this point. The actual blogging part doesn't bother me, its the fear of not knowing whether or not I'm doing it right.  So I will choose to adopt the acronym of DINQ which means Doing It! Never Quit!  I am hoping that when I am done with this course and all of my Instructional Design classes, I will be able to look back on this beginning blog and laugh at myself.  Remembering then, what I am feeling now, that this assignment was so hard and how would I ever make it through. :)