Critique Siemens’s “metaphors of educators.” Which of these metaphors best describes the role you believe an instructor should take in a digital classroom or workplace? Is there a better metaphor to reflect your view of the role of instructors?
Siemen's metaphor of "master artist" closely relates to my belief of the role as an educator. I do believe it is an instructor's job to guide and direct students learning as an individual (Siemen, 2008). I have found that allowing students to work at different paces has allowed students to master concepts to the best of their ability. I like this metaphor the most because of the environment it can create in the classroom.
Viewing an educator as a "network administrator" does bring out the important role of building and creating networks (Siemen, 2008). Networking is an important skill to learn to be used in the workplace. Making these connections will help students learn the value of searching for resources and using them as a tool.
The metaphor I would use for education is a business. We deal with supply, demand, marketing, management, leadership, problem solving skills, and so much more. The educational system is like a business from the top down. If the employees are happy then it transfers to the customers, so if teachers are happy then they will want to make students happy. As educators we should be looking at the common trends in the workplace, which would be the demand. It is our job to prepare students to be employable, which would be the supply the jobs need. Being prepared will allow students be marketable. Students will be eventually trying to promote themselves and their knowledge. Any manger, supervisor, CEO, or any other head of a business will want employees to have problem solving skills. That is something I feel students are lacking these days. Technology can be used to enhance these skills. In the classrooms we can help students set goals and ways to achieve them so they will be productive members of society as adults.
Siemens, G. (2008, January 27). Learning and knowing in networks: Changing roles for educators and designers. Paper presented to ITFORUM. Retrieved from http://it.coe.uga.edu/itforum/Paper105/Siemens.pdf
Latoya,
ReplyDeleteI agree that we need to make sure our students are ready for the work force. I feel that some of the methods we use to teach the students as well as the curriculum is very outdated. How do you feel?
Hello La Toya:
ReplyDeleteThornburg (1999) has mentioned that too often the educational system treats education as a commodity. Instead, education should be an experience that enthralls; an experience that all its stakeholders would be eager to participate in or take part of. I do believe that educators may adapt some ideas from the field of business; however, educators must be careful to take the needs of their stakeholders, students, parents, community into consideration. As plans are being made, all these needs should be taken into account, so that they will acquire an experience that will continuously draw them into the learning process. These experiences, I believe, should encourage critical thinking in learners and increase their problem solving skills.
Additionally, I see education as bottom up rather that top down. I so feel because educators’ plans can only be effective and provide this enthralling experience if the needs, abilities, and expectations of the stakeholders are met. Therefore, there must first be a clear understanding of the needs of the stakeholders by the teachers which are communicated to principals, district, and others. When everyone understands these needs, then policies can be adjusted and formulated to meet those needs.
Success,
Soushira
Reference
Thornburg, D. (1999). Brainstorms and lightning bolts: Thinking skills for the 21st century. NY: Starsong Publications