What is Pedagogy?
https://www.skillshub.com/what-is-pedagogy-in-education-and-learning/
- The methods and practices of teaching
- Balance of science and art of educating
- Considers the needs of students individually
To me, Pedagogy means more than just teaching. It is fostering an environment that meets the needs of students with all sorts of learning styles. An example of how it influenced my learning was with my math teacher. He knew that I had a hard time with numbers, so he got a whiteboard to make it visual and used real-life experiences like grocery shopping. This modification allowed me to thrive and have a chance at succeeding like the rest of my classmates. It influences how I want to teach in the future because it taught me the value of being understood and seen. Instead of him making fun of me or telling me I was bad at math, he simply taught me the same curriculum in a way that made sense to my brain.
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash
What is Networked Pedagogy?
- A teaching approach that focuses on connection
- Through digital networks connecting people, ideas, and resources
- Interconnected learning environment
- Allows for student engagement and being a part of their own learning journey
Networked Pedagogy in Action:
I think Networked Pedagogy can enhance my learning experience by allowing me to gain knowledge from other perspectives. I believe it is important in your academic career to learn from others’ opinions, life experiences and values ( even if you don’t relate, you can learn a lot!)
An example of how connecting with others online has contributed to my education is my online class last semester. I was put into a random group for a project and met students online to complete our project together. One student I met online was in the same program as me, and we became friends. I connected with her over similar values, and we became study buddies in real life. If it weren’t for the online class, I would have never connected with her.
Technology plays a significant role in fostering these connections because it allows for connecting with others online, and collaborating.
Social Learning Theory:
- Learning through watching others
- Shows the value of social interaction and observing others in order to learn themselves
https://www.gerardfriel.com/instructional-design/social-learning-theory/
Social Learning Theory in Practice:
Social Learning Theory resonates with me as I’m a visual learner and thrive through observing others.
This theory can be applied to an online learning environment through the use of video-based demonstrations. Although it is an online class, teachers can have Zoom ( or prerecorded ) videos that show examples and “how tos”.
I see this theory shaping my approach to learning because I am a visual learner. I thrive academically when I see someone else share an example instead of needing to rely on written descriptions or memorization. I hope to utilize this knowledge in my teaching in the future with all learning theories to be able to help all types of learners!
See the article attached below for a deep dive into each learning theory:
The Role of the Instructor
Photo by LinkedIn Sales Solutions on Unsplash
Many qualities are essential for instructors to be effective in a digital space. It might be the students’ first time doing an online class, so patience for technical difficulties is necessary. It’s important to keep online learning fun and engaging to help students feel connected to their classmates as well as their teacher.
During Covid, I saw firsthand the integration of online learning. Most teachers adapted to the transition; some did not. In the same way we must have patience for students in an online classroom, we must also have patience for instructors. I was in high school during Covid, and I saw that the teachers who were struggling the most to keep students engaged were the ones who simply put the in-person curriculum online. The teachers that succeeded were the ones that were tech savvy and able to integrate all sorts of fun online activities to keep us students engaged.
This is a short video of a teacher in New York posted by Forbes:
This helps us have compassion for the rapid transition instructors endured.
What are Digital Spaces?
Photo by Sara Kurfeß on Unsplash
Digital spaces are:
- Environments online where you can interact with others, learn and communicate.
- An example is social media platforms
- Digital spaces allow for international connection at any time
I have experience with digital spaces in the context of both academic and social settings. There are many benefits of learning in digital environments, such as learning from afar and more flexibility with scheduling. There are also negatives to learning in digital environments, such as lacking in-person social connection with peers. Sometimes, people feel more comfortable leaving unkind comments online because they are behind a screen. How I am sure I am contributing positively to the digital communities I’m a part of is by respecting the opinions of others, being mindful that what I post or share won’t upset other users, and creating an environment where others feel heard and understood.
This article is written by many members of the LinkedIn community to help further foster positive support online.
Hi Elena, I enjoyed reading your post this week. I appreciate how you highlighted the importance of adaptability and modifications in teaching. I relate to your experience with your teacher using the whiteboard to help you visualize numbers. I had a similar experience in school where teachers provided me with transcripts of videos because it’s easier for me to learn by reading vs. listening. I agree that when you’re in an online course, it’s fairly obvious to tell which teachers have strong digital literacy skills and those who do not. Those that do have those skills are often the most effective teachers. I think it’s also great how you highlighted the importance of creating an inclusive online environment. People often like to hide behind their screens and share hate, so it’s refreshing to hear that there are students out there that are promoting positive contributions in digital spaces. Thanks for sharing!