TechDino's Reflections on TechEd Innovation

To actively engage today's millennial teenagers, teachers need to rethink their use of traditional strategies and tools, and consider the integration of the Internet and participative digital tools into instructional activities. 93% of teenagers are online, 96% of students have used social technology, and 71% of students use social networking tools weekly (Siemens, 2008). Social media and Internet connectivity have made information and content knowledge more readily accessible and not limited only to academic environments. According to Siemens (2008), both domains of access and interaction have previously been under control of the teacher; however, developments with technology and social software have altered how learners access information and knowledge. By leveraging today's new technological tools and strategies, educators create meaningful online learning experiences in the classroom that will fully engage students in the learning process. The graphic organizer ent...

In an online learning community, instructors must have the pedagogy and skills in managing and facilitating this environment where the learners are able to actively engage in the learning process of making meaning and constructing knowledge that is meaningful to them.  The use of collaboration is essential in accomplishing this. Palloff and Pratt (2005) maintain that collaboration is the hallmark of constructivism, and "the heart and soul" of the online learning environment.  Through collaboration in a virtual environment, the student has the opportunity to actively engage in collaborative work with a group of peers that will deepen his or her own knowledge and understanding, and  enhance critical thinking skills that are essential for today's globalized economy and 21st century society.  Critical thinking skills are easier to enhance through one's participation in collaboration, than it is to try and master individually (2005).  Hurst and Thomas stated that "c...

The attached PowerPoint Presentation is a storyboard for my video presentation on the following: Collaboration:  Social Networking in Middle School