Technology to Transform Learning

It is hard to believe that such a useful framework (SAMR Model, developed by Puedentura) could remain untapped for so long while still remaining so relevant in a world that technologically has changed so dramatically, so quickly. This week has given me the opportunity to start exploring some of the possibilities that Web 2.0 tools can afford the formal education environment. From the materials presented for our consideration, there was a common thread: that developing technological tools allow us the opportunity to create global citizens with the 'need to inspire students to question and create' and promote the 'curiosity rather than providing the answers' in order to create lifelong learners (Michael Wesch,  'Michael Wesch on Knowledgable vs Knowledge-able retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z56SNAQNOqs&list=PLA3FB753E843A762D&index=2).
In order for lifelong learners to be created in the current era, the necessity for learners to be actively involved is absolute in order to engage successfully with the ever growing array of technological advances. But I would question whether 'being online' and feeling comfortable with the Web 2.0 tools necessarily automatically equates to being an active learner, as is suggested in the 'Voice of the Active Learner-Education from a Digital Native's Perspective' video (Blackboard TV, http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CZ5Vy9BgSeY
From personal experience, I have witnessed the need to teach 'digital natives' how to engage with many of the available tools rather than just 'use' them to complete an assignment or class task.
Sir Ken Robinson was very inspiring in his 'Changing Paradigms' presentation. I found myself stopping the clip and jotting down my thoughts as so many of his main ideas were very important for us all to consider. One of the most pertinent points shared in this presentation is that 'the ability to think divergently decreases with age'. (Sir Ken Robinson, Changing Paradigms, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U&feature=player_embedded) If we are to create active learners, we need to allow our students to be involved in experiences that promote divergent thinking rather than extinguish it.
The SAMR Model is an excellent reflection tool that I could use to actually provide learning experiences that promote collaboration and divergent thinking so that my students remain actively engaged. The voice thread task is an excellent example of a collaborative tool. I found it very useful reading and listening to the ideas of others and found that even though some were presented with a different teaching context in mind, I was finding that I was then trying to work out how that suggestion could be used in my context. This was extremely useful as some of the suggestions were ideas I wouldn't have previously considered.
My 'take-away' from this task is that just providing a vast array of online tools does not automatically create an environment that allows for active and engaging learning in order to create students that will be classed as '21st Century Learner'. As educators, we need to provide learning environments that utilise these Web 2.0 tools so that our students can take a more active role in their own learning and become learners for the future.
I came across the 'Padagogy Wheel' as did Dana. She has uploaded this into her blog. An excellent reflection tool when considering which online tools (mainly iPad apps) would suit various outcomes.
Some personal reflection: this week I spent a fair amount of time researching the SAMR Model, looking for examples of this model in action, viewing youtube clips, watching prezis, reading documents and so on, so that I felt I had a good understanding of how to apply the modify and redefine stages. I had taken notes and bookmarked endless pages. I had listened to and read the comments in the Voicethread which I found invaluable for my own reflection and growth. I had decided that I wanted to add my comments as audio, as even though I still felt uncomfortable with this idea, I thought I needed to challenge myself. I was already to go, I added my 1st audio comment..........and....... it never saved properly. I attempted this several times but eventually gave up and added my comments as text, feeling frustrated that my audio comments wouldn't save. My reflection from this......it doesn't matter how well we have modified or redefined the learning experiences, if the tools don't work, the learning outcomes won't be achieved.