Lesson 3 has been interesting as I went into it knowing nothing at all about network hardware (give or take what I remember from my CIS 100 course years ago). I understand much more than I did, and came out of the lesson with a great deal of appreciation for the staff and technicians that keep the network connections running. I also learned a great deal about how the technicians view distance learning and faculty use of the hardware. There is a "software" skill in learning how to work cooperatively with technicians, as with any group of people, you have to understand things from their perspective and respect their input.Bringing home the lesson on how fragile the hardware is, I had a little accident with my own personal computer. Nothing a little drying out didn't take care of, but everything I had been working on was lost. Fortunately, I have another computer linked to my wireless and was able to stay "networked," but it was awkward. A person gets a feel for the hardware they use most often, and using that equipment (knowing it's every little quirk and foible) becomes almost automatic. Moving over to another machine, even though it once was my primary computer, was almost like learning a new machine all over. The keyboard is slightly different making typing arduous because of hitting the keys at the wrong angle or having to stop and look for where a key is placed, the screen doesn't look "right" because of my familiarity with a smaller screen, plus it is an old laptop with a dead battery that has to be plugged in so I lost my mobility. All petty little complaints, but frustrating, and it made me realize that the software isn't just the programs that are downloaded onto the hardware, the software is also the users--and that the hardware is part of a personal network, either facilitating networked exchanges, or hindering them.
My group has been very patient with me, as I scrambled to re-write my part of our Content Development assignment around a hectic work week, and am late posting my Blog entry, and I really appreciate it :-) Thanks.
Networking policy assignment was fairly time consuming but most students found it very useful because it gives us opportunities to know how network environment should be planned and developed. It is not uncommon to see educational institutions do not have robust soft network learning architectures.
ReplyDeleteWorking as a group isn't an easy task. I think all groups should integrate advanced social network learning technologies to support group's communications and collaboration processes. Isn't what we are supposed to learn in our class. :-)Overwhelmed is not uncommon in networking learning environments! As learners and educators, we need to identify a best way to organize and manage our network learning environments. Whenever I am working on my computer, I keep all my iGoogle tabs open so I can monitor my own learning and teaching.
How’s the progress of AT6 Network Learning Training? We will open the training sessions for public to attend. It would be a good experience for us to teach and train others to learn networking learning environments and personal learning environments. Remember we don't just teach our audiences to use network technologies, we need to teach them "HOW" to integrate to support teaching and learning. Additionally, don't forget to engage them in "active" and "interactive" activities to enhance learning engagement during your training session.
We are about half way through the semester. Don’t give up!