Week 3-No Significant Difference

The authors make a few main points behind the myth of no significant difference. They believe the argument is not whether technology influences learning but how the technology is used as a teaching strategy. They argue five main points that influence learning: motivation, opportunities, an active process, interaction with others and the ability to transfer learning to a real-world situation.

Motivation: technology can be used as a motivator to learn. Technology, if used properly, can provide a greater source of interaction through video chat, which could motivate one to learn.

Opportunities: Technology can provide a more flexible schedule via online courses.

An active process: Some students learn by doing, and technology may provide better visuals

Interaction with others: You can learn anyone, and talk with anyone

Ability to transfer learning to a real-world situation: Can document and share ideas easily via blog or Web journal

From my perspective, meaningful learning is taking what you've learning and applying to something outside of the class. Whether you use what you learn to solve a problem with a friend or a skill you learn for a job, it has to apply to your life in some way, shape or form. My reporting class provides a perfect example of meaningful learning. In this class you learn by doing. There were days you attended class and your assignment was to find and write a story. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, but I had to get used to walking up to complete strangers to complete the assignment. That summer, I was asked to do the same thing at an internship. I applied exactly what I learned in the classroom to a real job, and learned by doing.

On the other hand, a non example of meaningful learning would be memorizing math formulas. I only used this information in the classroom to study for tests. I never applied the square root of pi, to solve real-life problems or help me on the job.

Technology definitely plays a role in my definition of meaningful learning. For example, online tutorials allow you to learn different software programs that you may need for your job. You don't need to be a specific place to watch these tutorials. You can learn at a time that is best for you. Technology provides a  visual, hands-on way of learning. My definition of meaningful learning requires you to apply what you learn to your life, and technology aides in that regard.