Chapter+2

==//Working with your classmates, you will answer a set of guiding questions relating to this week's chapter. These questions must be answered in detail using our class wiki. This collaborative project will be graded using part individual score and part group score. Refer to the Wiki Rubric located in the left menu of our Blackboard course. Along with reviewing the contents, I will check our wiki's revision history to monitor your participation.//==

// How can constructivism and/or connectivism influence and support curriculum and pedagogy in a flattened learning mode? // Constructivism refers to the idea that learners construct knowledge for themselves. So, instead of the teacher giving the students the answers, then they should have the knowledge to be able to think through the problem and find the answer online or with the help of someone else. This is a complete 180 then what teachers and students are used too. As noted in the book; ”In terms of curriculum, constructivism emphasizes hands-on problem solving and the elimination of standardized curriculum.” Connectivism really influences and supports curriculum and pedagogy in a flattened learning mode, because it is where students have the knowledge to digitally communicate with other people online and keep up with updated information. The world is updating things every day and instead of having to wait for a new text book to come out with the updated information a student can find it online and be current on everything every day. By:Brittany Griffin

Constructivism is experimental learning through real life experience and connectivism is a learning theory for the digital age. Connectivism emphasizes the role of social and cultural context. I think constructivism can support curriculum in a flattened learning mode because being in a flattened classroom, students have to have real life experiences with technology and other students around the world. Students have to be updated and stay connected with things of the world today and connectivism supports this. Students will be prepared for the future in a supported classroom with real world experience. By Emily Cummings

Constructivism most definitely can and does support the flattened classroom. The textbook states that social constructivism emphasizes the importance of learners being active in the learning process. This active learning is the basis for the flattened classroom. The book also mentions that in constructivism, meaning is influenced by cultural elements such as language and background. Constructivism also thinks of the teacher as more of a facilitator than lecturer. Constructivism emphasizes hands-on problem solving rather than standardizes curriculum. A fantastic example of a hands-on program is AMSTI.

Connectivism supports the pedagogy of the flat classroom because the principles include that learning and knowledge are contextual and constantly being acquired. The book also points out that in connectivism, the individual is the starting point in the circle of knowledge (personal to network to organization) allowing learners to update and remain current. To m, this is treating students as lifelong learners such as us. If this circle of knowledge is instilled in students at a young age, then it will last them the rest of their life. Being connected is the whole point of the flat classroom.

By: Diane Trout

Constructivism, the theory that we construct knowledge rather than acquire it, can influence the curriculum and pedagogy in a flattened learning mode by contributing to the role changes between teachers and students in the 21st Century classroom. Acknowledging that learning is the responsibility of the students by researching, exploring, collaborating, analyzing and drawing conclusions instead of the responsibility of the teacher to make sure students know the material that will be on the annual standardized test, forces students to become active participants in the learning process. Giving students something to do besides sit, listen and read and instead focusing on individual needs and creating problem/project based hands on lessons encourages this constructivism influence. By incorporating constructivist theories and planning lessons that are individualized to students' cultural backgrounds and relevant to their lives- by teaching them something they can take out of the classroom- this is what flattens the classroom. Connectivism is a new theory and skill that must be acquired by both students and teachers in a flat classroom. Essentially, connectivism is necessary to harness the power of the wealth of knowledge and resources that are available through technology. Think of it as having the most powerful computing system, but not being able to turn it on. Without a working understanding of tech literacy and information processing skills, the flat cannot reach its highest potential. Learning these skills as a teacher and then passing them on to your students before participating in any collaboration process will maximize the effectiveness of the curriculum and the results of the collaboration. -Laura Callis

Connectivism is a theoretical framework for understanding learning. Learning occurs when knowledge is offered through a process of connecting and feeding information through a learning community. The learning community distributes the information across a network and can be stored in a variety of digital formats. Information is always changing so part of the learning ability is to know how to seek out the current information and also to learn to make decisions on the basis of that information. By Betsy Griffin

Constructivism can influence the curriculum in a flattened learning classroom because in a flattened classroom the students are constructing their own knowledge. They are being exposed to different cultures, countries, and people they many not have gotten the opportunity to otherwise. Also the teacher is not the center of the classroom or lesson. The teacher will set up a project and get things in order for his/her students. The teacher focuses on the students and will help guide them. However, ultimately the students are in control of how much they learn and what they take away from the project.

Connectivism is about networking. In the flattened classroom, the students are constantly connecting with other, different people. In connectivism the starting point of any part of networking is the individual is the teacher. In the flattened classroom the networking always starts with the teacher then branches to their students and then to whoever they are connecting with.

By: Kaylee Hamelink



What is ethnocentrism? How does it impact society? Ethnocentrism is judging another culture solely by the values and standards of one's own culture. In America it is common to see people typically judge others for being a different color and having a different cultural background. Ethnocentrism affects our society because it creates a cultural separation between the different types of people that live in the world. Judging a culture affects our society because we do not give the chance to learn and appreciate what each culture has to offer the world but instead we fight one another because of our different beliefs and values. I believe ethnocentrism affects our society because the ideal of judging others culture is keeping us from coming together as the human race and appreciate one anothers different cultural background. By:Brittany Griffin

Ethnocentrism is the belief that your ethnicity is superior to other ethnicities. This impacts society in so many ways. In history, we have seen what happens when different races, religions, or areas of countries believe they are superior. Wars break out, hate crimes are committed, and genocide occurs. I believe that ethnocentrism can be thwarted if schools participate in the flat classroom project. This will allow students to understand different societies and cultures and grow to be more tolerant of them. I found this video on ethnocentrism and please note, I would not show this video in an elementary classroom but it gets the point across. Please watch it to the end before you judge. By: Diane Trout media type="custom" key="24942934"

Ethnocentrism is the tendency to believe that one's ethnic or cultural group is centrally important, and that all other groups are measured in relation to one's own. The ethnocentric individual will judge other groups relative to his or her own particular ethnic group or culture, especially with concern to language, behavior, customs, and religion. Ethnocentrism can impact our society in many bad ways. We can not globally connect to others in the world if we are busy judging others because they are different than us. We need to come together and learn how to agree to disagree on things and it would make our future so much easier. By: Emily Cummings

Ethnocentrism is the belief that ones own culture or ethnic background is superior to any other. I believe that most ethnocentrism is maybe often unintentional and stems from misinformation. I also believe that in some cases a traditional classroom setting can reinforce ethnocentric ideas simply by not providing an opposing viewpoint on a given topic. Too often, students accept what they are taught without question. By tearing down the walls of our classrooms and exposing students to other cultures and viewpoints we can eliminate ethnocentrism by educating this generation about their peers by connecting through collaboration on a global level like never before. -Laura Callis

What is ethnocentrism? It is the making false assumptions about others ways based on limited experiences. How does it impact society? Easily, because we always come to quick assumptions and jump to conclusions about others and things before we know anything about what it is. This can be every negative especially when trying new things such as a flatten classroom. By Betsy Griffin

Ethnocentrism is the belief that you or your way of life is superior to that of another person. It can impact society because when people start to think they are better than somebody else then there is no longer meaningful communication. For things in this world to be successful, in any way or job, then there has to be meaningful and effective communication. This can only happen if somebody is not looking down their nose at somebody else. In today's world we have to think globally not intercontinental. In doing this we have to be open to new cultures or at least accepting of them. We cannot judge some other culture because we do not agree. If we were to do that then there would be nothing accomplished globally.

By: Kaylee Hamelink