Creating Authentic Learning Through Online Personal Learning Networks

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 31-47
Author(s):  
Erin Gratz ◽  
Bettyjo Bouchey ◽  
Megan Kohler ◽  
Monica L. Simonsen ◽  
Jessica L. Knott
Keyword(s):  
Online Education ◽  
Learning Experiences ◽  
Authentic Learning ◽  
Peer Learning ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Peer To Peer ◽  
Learning Networks ◽  
Personal Learning Networks ◽  
Personal Learning ◽  
Authentic Learning Experiences

As educators face challenges in creating and cultivating authentic learning experiences in online education, a new paradigm for peer-to-peer learning has emerged: personal learning networks (PLNs). This article outlines autoethnographic research conducted in summer 2019, in which six participants from distinct virtual PLNs reflected on the benefits of PLNs as a model of peer-to-peer learning, how their experiences within PLNs aligned with Rule's themes of authentic learning and ways PLNs can be incorporated into online programming to create deep, authentic learning environments. The study findings align with the core principles of authentic learning: (a) real-world scenarios, (b) inquiry and thinking skills, (c) discourse with the community, and (d) empowerment. The study makes a strong case for the incorporation of PLNs into traditional online programming as a means to create unique and authentic learning experiences.

Using undergraduate research to develop transferable skills for the modern workforce

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 84
Author(s):  
Jack TH Wang
Keyword(s):  
Biological Sciences ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Undergraduate Research ◽  
Learning Experiences ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Global Knowledge ◽  
Research Experiences ◽  
Transferable Skills ◽  
Authentic Learning Experiences

In the increasingly competitive global knowledge marketplace, Australian tertiary educators are looking to enrich their program offerings by providing authentic learning experiences for their students. In the biological sciences, this authenticity is best represented by hands-on inquiry and laboratory experimentation, often within the context of research internships. Authentic Large-Scale Undergraduate Research Experiences (ALUREs) aim to broaden the scope of these learning experiences by embedding research into coursework activities accessible by all students within the program. These experiences can promote learning gains in laboratory, analytical, and critical thinking skills, providing students with a transferable skillset applicable to many career paths across the science sector.

scholarly journals Podcasts for Nonformal Learning: Using Social Media for Creating Personal Learning Environments, Personal Learning Networks

2020 ◽  
Vol 88 ◽  
pp. 46-65
Author(s):  
Marija Stonkienė ◽  
Erika Janiūnienė
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Informal Learning ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Media Content ◽  
Learning Networks ◽  
Personal Learning Networks ◽  
Personal Learning ◽  
Personal Learning Environments ◽  
Collaborative Interaction ◽  
The Creation

The use of second-generation web technology (WEB2) in education is emphasising the role of social media as educational sources. Researchers that are analysing personal learning environments (Schaffert, Kalz, 2009; Dabbagh, Kitsantas, 2012), personal learning networks (Couros, 2010) suggest the importance of social media, although this emphasis is attributed to the collaborative interaction of learners. To comprehensively assess the potential of podcasts as social media in the creation of personal learning environments, personal learning networks, the research described in this article does not restrict the definition of podcasts as the potential of collaboration provided by social media. In this article, attention is directed towards the potential of podcasts in the creation of personal learning environment and personal learning networks. By using integrated information behaviour module analysis to determine if the students of Lithuanian higher education institutions value the potential of informal learning provided by podcasts. To determine if these technologies are used for the formation of personal learning environments, personal learning networks, a discussion group research was conducted. During the research the analysis of participant podcast usage showed there is interaction between media content used for recreation and media content used for formal and informal learning. This means that the participants of the research use podcasts to create personal learning environments. On the other hand, this interaction is minimal, created only by the learners and reasoned by the search of educational podcasts. The analysis of the experiences of the discussion participants revealed that the collaborative interaction between learners involved in the research in searching, sharing and using podcasts in the process of learning is not intensive, it is typically fragmented. This allows to point out that the communities that use podcasts for informal learning are not forming. This shows that the potential of podcasts in creating a learning network is not fulfilled, and that podcasts don’t inspire participatory learning.

Embedded Librarianship

2013 ◽  
pp. 1538-1554
Author(s):  
Buffy J. Hamilton
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Learning Experiences ◽  
English Teacher ◽  
Learning Networks ◽  
Composition Students ◽  
Personal Learning ◽  
Participatory Literacy

This case study chronicles the learning experiences of 10th grade Honors Literature/Composition students who participated in a 2009-10 learning initiative, Media 21, at Creekview High School. This program, spearheaded by school librarian Buffy Hamilton and English teacher Susan Lester, provided students a learning environment facilitated by both Hamilton and Lester in which Hamilton was “embedded” as an instructor. Media 21, rooted in connectivism, inquiry, and participatory literacy, emphasized students creating their own research “dashboards” and portals, the creation of personal learning networks to help students engage in their learning experiences, and to evaluate a diverse offering of information sources more critically.

“I Love Being Able to Have my Colleagues Around the World at my Fingertips:”

2013 ◽  
pp. 110-126
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Branch ◽  
Joanne de Groot
Keyword(s):  
Professional Learning ◽  
Learning Networks ◽  
Personal Learning Networks ◽  
Online Distance Education ◽  
Personal Learning ◽  
Online Networks ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Life Long Learning ◽  
Online Distance ◽  
Teacher Librarians

Teacher-librarians are often “lone wolves” in schools. This chapter explores how Canadian teacher-librarians are participating in life-long learning in the 21st century using Web 2.0 technologies. It also explores how one online distance education program implemented changes to help prepare teacher-librarians to participate in local and global personal learning networks. Findings from a Canadian survey on this topic found that teacher-librarians often seek out other teacher-librarians for advice and support, as well as relying on regular interaction (both face-to-face and online) with their colleagues. Other informal professional learning occurs through listservs, online networks, Elluminate sessions, webinars, TED talks, podcasts, Nings, blogs, and Twitter. New and emerging technologies are helping teacher-librarians connect to one another locally and, more importantly, globally. It is this combination of both local and global personal learning networks that helps teacher-librarians move from being lone wolves to members of the pack.

Using a Literacy-Based Classroom Partnership to Prepare Teacher Candidates for the edTPA

2018 ◽  
pp. 1419-1441
Author(s):  
Jana Lynn Hunzicker ◽  
Cecile M. Arquette ◽  
Peter Olson ◽  
Douglas Atkins
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Candidates ◽  
Professional Development School ◽  
Learning Experiences ◽  
Authentic Learning ◽  
Student Learning Outcomes ◽  
Second Grade ◽  
Teacher Performance Assessment ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Opening And Closing ◽  
Authentic Learning Experiences

This chapter chronicles the progression of one university's efforts to create authentic learning experiences and performance-based assessments for teacher candidates through an established school-university partnership. The chapter focuses on one particular professional development school (PDS) initiative: an ongoing classroom partnership between Bradley University's ETE 313: Methods of Literacy I course and kindergarten through second grade classrooms at neighboring Whittier Primary School. Opening and closing with vignettes illustrating Bradley's ETE 313/Whittier classroom partnership, the chapter presents detailed descriptions of two different professors' efforts to provide authentic learning experiences and prepare teacher candidates for state licensure, including successful completion of the Education Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA), over four years' time. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the evolving classroom partnership in terms of student learning outcomes, the need for ongoing curricular modifications, and strategies for sustaining classroom partnerships.

Personal Learning Networks

2010 ◽  
pp. 226-240
Author(s):  
Teresa J. Carter ◽  
Jeffrey S. Nugent
Keyword(s):  
Digital Media ◽  
Virtual Communities ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Learning Goals ◽  
Learning Networks ◽  
Self Directed Learning ◽  
Personal Learning Networks ◽  
Personal Learning ◽  
Directed Learning ◽  
Virtual Communities Of Practice

Twenty-first century information communication technologies are enabling learners to create personal learning networks (PLNs) tailored to individual learning goals, needs, and interests, with implications for self-directed learning in the digital age. New, readily available digital media tools, open courseware, and other Web 2.0 technologies are changing how learners interact online, creating a participatory culture of knowledge sharing and content creation that is very different from early uses of the Web for accessing content. As learners participate in the multiple virtual communities of practice that comprise a PLN, they require new skills that merit reconsideration of the role of the educator in helping learners to become self-directed in both formal and informal learning contexts.

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