Flipped learning network

The social network group that I chose is Flipped Learning. I have heard flipped education; however, I have not tapped into it until this mod. Flipped learning is more learner-centered than traditional education. Learning is not limited to classroom anymore; instead, learners can learn both inside and outside classrooms with supports of technology in their learning, which can meet learners' different preferences on learning.

I found it exciting to know this approach which I will definitely incorporate in my future classroom. After having checked the website, I found another website which is categorized under flipped education-- PaGamO.  PaGamO, an online platform, designed by Dr. Yeh and his students, enables learners to learn through playing online games. Learners can choose games according to their levels and grades, and use this tool to gain knowledge through competing with others. Unlike traditional learning, learners will find interesting to acquire knowledge through playing games.

To conclude, Flipped Learning provides information about how to use flipped learning and what features are of flipped learning. Before incorporating flipped learning in my future classroom, I will definitely check this website to see if there are anything that I should be cautious about.

Reactions to videos for Mod# 3

There are infinite uses of technology. Through using technology, both teachers and students can share knowledge, communicate efficiently, create our own learning community and, most importantly, take an active role on our learning. I watched two videos related to why technology is of importance to implement in our classroom-- it allows us to acquire tomorrow's skills today. The followings include my reactions and thoughts of those two videos.

The first video I watched is The Future Starts Now, which is about information and communication technology (ICT) in education. It provides insightful points on reasons for keeping technology in education, instead of keeping out. Students will feel interested and motivated to learn based on their interests, learn things in a different way, and, therefore, reduce the dropout rate. Though technology can help students' learning and cultivate skills that students need in future, I would say it may be oversimplify students' lack of interests in their learning. There are other reasons that cause students' dropout in schools, such as economic issues and peer pressure-- technology cannot be an effective treatment for those students.

Another video I watched is A Vision of 21st Century Teachers, focusing on numerous benefits of using technology in class. One of the points-- every student speak up even the shy one-- mentioned in this video truly opens my eyes. I have not thought that technology somehow provides chances for every students to speak up in an interactive community. I believe this can definitely benefit those students who are timid and need more time to think in class. I retrospect to my learning experience, I found out using technology, such as blog, and online discussion broad, is an more effective way for me to express my thoughts. Through using technology, I feel less nervous with expressing my thoughts because I know nobody will argue or confront with me in person. After watching this, it made me think about how to incorporate technology to curriculum wisely and how to create a place where everyone has equal chance to use it and to speak up for themselves.

To conclude, technology brings learning toward learner-centered. We all know it is important to incorporate technology to students' learning; however, other important things should also be considered are: how to use it smartly? how to let every student has equal chance to use it?