Discussions Continued
Learning Analytics
Learning Analytics entails all activities aimed at optimizing and improving education and learning and all that it encompasses. Through learning analytics, stakeholders in education, from instructors, education managers, learners to policy makers are able to make better decisions related to teaching, learning and its management. Critical components of learning analytics are data generated by learners through learning activities, centered on people and their behavior, learning processes and their effective understanding and management. The major sources of data used in learning analytics include student characteristics¸ their educational backgrounds, the performances they post in their academics. It centers around the interest of learners and decision making aimed at improving their outcomes as enabled by insights gleaned from a wide range of data. Teachers use learning analytics to collaborate with learners and policy makers in education and offer support or decision based on the identified developments that is taking place in different contexts and spheres of learning (Krumm, 2018, p. 22).
Connectivism Theory
Connectivism learning is a fairly new learning theory which I think makes more significant sense in the context of contemporary learning and teaching. In a highly globalized world where shared perspectives and insights are key ingredients of creativity, I think connectivism as a learning and teaching theory comes in handy in fostering the leaners’ skills and capabilities to collaborate and share knowledge in mutual ways that positively impacts and self improves them (Pappas, 2023). In a highly digitized world where learning and sharing takes place via online and virtual platforms, connectivity learning is highly suitable in an information and data driven world. It encourages a attitude that learning is not an individual activity but can be gleaned across networks of people, technologies, information sources and so much more.
Connectivism as learning theories advances the theory of networked and distributed learning. It also draws on theory of social learning theory that places emphasis on social interaction amongst learners but further bringing in the non-human elements such as use of technological devises to advance learning (Pappas, 2023). At the same time, it is apparent that connectivism comes in handy in making sure that learning is leveraged on diversity of ideas as well as nurturing and maintaining meaningful connections amongst learners (Pappas, 2023).
Open Textbook Exploration
Open text books come with lots of benefits in my experience of using them as a student. Other than the obvious benefits such as being cost advantageous and conveniently accessible, open textbooks provide other qualities that other traditional textbooks don’t come with such as ability to be easily and conveniently be shared. It is also easier to customize open textbooks by offering the option of downloading not the entire book but only the specific chapters of interest to the learner. In doing that, open textbooks can be used in ways that suit the specific learning needs and objectives of the learner. The convenience of using open textbooks cannot be overemphasized enough. My experience with using the open library (Ontario) is that it comes in a variety of formats that such as PDF, EPUB and many more hence can conveniently be accessed from a variety of devices that are at the disposal of the user.