I agree with Siemens when he says for a metaphor the online instructor should be a curator.
"a curatorial teacher acknowledges the autonomy of learners, yet understands the frustration of
exploring unknown territories without a map"(Siemens 2007). Online educators should allow the learners to use their individual strenghts to demonstrate their understanding of the content that is presented to them. The online instructor should be expertise enough to guide the learner in the direction of the content she/he is presenting to the learner. The learner should be given the space to construct their knowledge with the connections she/he makes through the use of digital technology. As Siemens states: "while the learners explore when they engage with subject matter, the key concepts of a discipline are transparently reflected through the curatorial actions of the teacher" (Siemens 2007).
Reference
Siemens, G. (2008). Learning and Knowing in Networks: Changing roles for Educators and Designers
Henry,
ReplyDeleteThere is a post on Learners Online (2007) in which George Siemens replies to an inquiry about the changing role of the teacher in networked learning; are they experts, teachers, curators or facilitators. Siemens contends the above roles are not exclusive to an individual. He states (Siemens, 2007), "the curator isn’t the facilitator who isn’t the teacher. Isn’t it possible that at various time in the process of teaching – with the intent of assisting learners in forming networks of understanding – that we will play these different roles to varying degrees?" In summary, the role of the educator as curator is to foster understanding via guiding the learner through networks, promote interpretation of ideas and stimulate one to express their thinking. It's not just about content.
Siemens, G. (2007, August 25). Regarding George Siemens' Curators. Message posted to Learn Online archived at http://learnonline.wordpress.com/2007/08/25/regarding-george-siemens-curators/
Henry:
ReplyDeleteI think "curator" is an interesting metaphor to use to describe the online instructor. It makes me think of someone with a lot of expertise, professional, and respectful. I think that the future of on-line learning will keep some remnants of what we experience today, but it will be quite different. What will it look like? I can't wait to see!
Lewis Chappelear