A learner is like a kite, it needs cooperation from the elements around it to sore, and once it is up and moving it cannot help but be noticed by those that take the time to see it and recognize its feat, and therefore effect their perception of the world.
I thought a lot about what sort of analogy I would like to write and the idea of a kite seemed relevant to me. After listening to a couple videos and reading the article by George Siemens I decided that the image of a kite represents the interconnectedness that is necessary to learn and quire knowledge. A kite is a wonderful concept, but unless it is up and flying it does not live up to its true potential. Just like a learner, who does not continuously acquire knowledge in order to flourish they too would just be a “nice concept” but pretty useless.
I found Siemens statement in The Changing Nature of Knowledge compelling and encompassing, he said, “The network that learners create becomes the learning” This was a semi new thought for me. I guess when you think about it, it makes perfect sense, we are all gaining knowledge from one another and each experience that we have, when shared, affects those around us. Technology has moved us into a speedier exchange of knowledge. Now instead of just books, that take a long time to be published and then read, and classes, which can be costly, we can access free information on the web. The age of hyper drive knowledge consumption is here. Karen Stephenson states
With in Siemens article Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age” he sites Karen Stephenson who writes "Experience has long been considered the best teacher of knowledge. Since we cannot experience everything, other people’s experiences, and hence other people, become the surrogate for knowledge. ‘I store my knowledge in my friends’ is an axiom for collecting knowledge through collecting people (undated).
This seems to sum it up we have to learn to depend on each other to an extent. We need to be aware of social sharing networks and immerse ourselves in new ways of exchanging knowledge.
Watch: The Impressionist’s Eye Trailer
5 years ago
I love the kite analogy! I am really enjoying reading all the different takes on the analogy. It is interesting to me to note that although everyone was given the same assignment, we all came up with uniquely different perspectives. I love it. I was struck by the same quote you picked, about knowledge being stored in everybody's differing experiences. We are all teachers and we are all learners.
ReplyDeleteJenevieve,
ReplyDeleteI like that your kite is affected by the elements surrounding it. We all need to be connected to the right elements to continue soaring. The more diverse the connections in our networks, the more expansive our thinking must become to accept, reject or accommodate different perceptions.
BTW you need to weave the links more seamlessly into your posts. This is different from the way we cite items on paper. Check out some other blogs to see how it can be done.
Dr. Burgos
With learning you need to soar, and using the kite as an example is perfect. Kites are also beautiful art pieces that illuminate the sky. Trying to fly the kite is the beginning but when you get the hang of it, it can take you places that you can not imagine. Great analogy.
ReplyDeleteI really like your analogy, like megans, the kite and the ocean depend on other factors that influence it.
ReplyDelete