My very first virtual session

The virtual session about learning and tutoring was really interesting and inspiring. I am really satisfied about Teemu and I, we could manage without technical problems and we were able to present all our material in about 25 minutes. I also would like to thank the rest of team Mars for giving time and energy for this presentation. I was really nervous (my nails know something about it) but in my really first virtual session I was brave - first in breaking the ice at least. What I found very interesting was - besides the technical problems and how easy it "should be" to use the Adobe Connect - the themes that we were speaking about. I noticed anyway that our theme was pretty similar to the Jupiter group’s: both of us (in one point) spoke about learning styles. We investigated different points of view indeed, but still I was worried that we were covering same theme. I found very stimulating also the discussion at the end of each session and also I really enjoyed the interactive parts such as videos and polls (when they worked).
The videos (here you have one of them from team Mars learning styles and movies ) were important for me; I learn best by doing and also I am a visual learner. This session was important for me also because I had a possibility to think about how I am going to use my weakest learning style during my teaching, or how important is the curriculum and updating it. Most of it - regarding our presentation - was very fascinating and surprising to me - how late learning theories are applied to the teaching and educational world.
Nowadays it is normal for learners calling by mobile or to use internet. So right now it is important to stop and think about learning methods and styles.
The history or learning theories and learning styles tell us that we can investigate the learning of an individual if we consider the importance and the mutual influence between the external factors and the internal ones. In other words, is the acquisition of knowledge, ideas and abilities the result of the environment or is it the result of an internal mechanism?
I had the idea that most people don´t need technologies in learning, especially when you teach a subject like history. I was wrong. We have to find the way to use them in order to involve more the new generation and older ones as well.
In the discussion someone asked me: “What about adult learners or old learners?” It´s true that they are more skeptical to learn using ALSO technology but if we give them ALSO AND NOT ONLY THAT they will learn something. A modern teacher is more a facilitator, not anymore a source of knowledge. He or she recognizes the strength of the learners, tries to use different learning styles and tools during the teaching. A teacher should be flexible for the audience and should cooperate with the students, should participate in learning process. A teacher should also consider the background, culture and needs of the students, update the curriculum in order to give the basics for the labor market.
Well, based on this virtual session experience I change my idea on using technologies, role of the teacher during learning process. I will apply this knowledge from now on.
(...to be continuing...)


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