Saturday, 28 January 2012

Where does your learning take place?

Thank you to all those who responded to last week's post, the information gained from your replies is enabling me to build a clearer understanding of the ways in which the blogs support your studies. Having thought some more about the way in which the blogs are used on the CG Arts course, I would be grateful if you could consider the following question:

In your opinion, how much of your learning takes place through the blogs and how much through physical sessions such as lectures, seminars etc?

All thoughts and comments welcome!
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9 comments:

  1. Nat Urwin28 January 2012 at 14:41

    I would say learning new things in general comes from the physical sessions, but with the blogs it's more of a personal learning. For example the main skills are learnt from the physical but the personal development comes from the feedback and information through blogs, like comments on things you've posted and interesting things posted on the group blog to get your inspirational tastebuds watering. So in my opinion both are vital to the amount of learning but they are slightly different types of learning.

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    1. Tony Reeves6 February 2012 at 11:16

      This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. Tony Reeves6 February 2012 at 11:30

      Hi Nat,

      Thanks for this, it's an interesting distinction and indicates that the blogs provide a different 'layer' in which learning can occur. It's useful for me to understand the different types of learning that occur in each space, so thank you for sharing.

      Tony

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  2. Simon Holland 741 February 2012 at 02:10

    Hi Tony (I have also responded to your previous post in case you have missed it),

    I was asked recently, what is the difference between learning and training?

    Certainly In my software sessions I feel I am taking on the role of trainer and the students are being trained. The tasks are very specific and geared towards developing software skills, as such they are very focussed towards a particular goal. With the issues that arise from tutorials and the technical aspect of using various software and hardware this will always spill out into blogs and other public forums, as such the training can continue beyond the realm of the classroom and becomes obtainable when it is needed.

    Learning is a much more general area (that probably encompasses training), however people need to be willing to learn, there has to be a need for self development. If a student is apathetic towards developing skills and knowledge then a course blog that will link them to a wider world of experience can start to break down the apathy almost under the radar as it were.

    With the time available for lectures seminar etc. across a week the learning is structured fairly rigidly in quite general bands such as Modernism and Post-Modernism. Having a network beyond these formal boundaries enables students to bring their own experiences to the table. The "I Saw This and Thought of You" and " I Have Found This and Thought I Would Share" style posts are always great because they enable both staff and students to relate the broader terms of study to new and exciting avenues. Also you can never be too sure of what you are going to get. I think what I am trying to say is that as a community we are able to cast our net that much further than an individual.

    Simon

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    1. Tony Reeves6 February 2012 at 11:23

      Hi Simon,

      Many thanks again for your reply, I've been away for a week and have just responded to your previous post...apologies for the delay!

      The distinction between learning and training is an interesting one. As I am specifically researching the ways in which blogs can increase student engagement your point about the blog providing another way to encourage students to participate in the learning process is very helpful to my investigation.

      Your final point indicates the function of the blogs in providing an enriched context for learning is a great example of the value for both students and tutors of belonging to a functioning community of practice.

      Thank you very much!

      Tony

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  3. Charlotte1 February 2012 at 03:53

    Hi Tony

    I'm Charlotte from the 3rd year. In terms of learning from the blogs and form the tutorials for me I find it's a bit of both. I find that I learn a little from my technical classes and then re learn what I missed in those lessons via the tutorials on the blog. so for me personaly I find I get an even amount of learning both through blogs and through lectures etc

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    1. Tony Reeves6 February 2012 at 11:25

      Hi Lev,

      Thank you for sharing, it's great to hear your perception of how your learning is distributed between the blogs and your tutorials.

      Tony

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  4. Yolantele3 February 2012 at 09:28

    I think most of the knowledge comes from lectures and sessions where it is directly aimed to give student the information However blogs, I found help to further expnad the knwoledge, as often a groupmate or tutor would respond to a specific question within the topic.
    Another thing, it helps to establish the gained information, as often, we are required to reformulate and reflect upon what we learned.

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    1. Tony Reeves6 February 2012 at 11:27

      HI J.J,

      Thank you, that's an interesting clarification and suggests that the blogs are useful in enhancing the learning that takes place in the taught sessions.

      Tony

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