I can't help but wonder, even if they do exist, do they matter? Is it my learning style, or my learning patterns that matter? As a teacher, am I wasting my time trying to adapt teaching to fit their learning styles while force fitting them into a pre-defined learning pattern that is cold and unnatural to many of them?

I have increasingly over the last 6 months found myself wanting to spend more time talking to student about this question - which I see as a key to unlocking what might be wrong with education today...

"How do you learn when you WANT to learn?"

So, I'll pose the question first to any of you reading this. How do you learn when you want to learn? Do you follow the patterns you had imprinted on you in your days as a student? Have you patterns changed? How has technology changed them?

I've got to figure out a way to try and get some honest answers to this question from students, as I am sure there is a lot we can uncover that might help us reach more of them...

(maybe not a good time to post this  - right after so many have just left summer institutes where differentiated instruction seems to be the theme of the day...)

Anyway, here it is in all its glory 4mb jpg glory!

http://elearningargentina.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/informal-learning.jpg

(source Jay Cross, "Internet Time")

http://www.etfo.ca/Publications/Voice/Pages/default.aspx

(coincidentally, 2 of the articles were about/by Commun-IT.org members!)

Also of note on the graphic novels idea, OSAPAC has announced that licensing a piece of software to help teachers/students author their own graphic novels/comics is a priority this year (http://www.osapac.org)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080506.wlfacebook

Stake your claim to your digital footprint before someone else does! Incidentally, if you aren't the #1 hit on a google search of your name, are you comfortable with the person who is???

Rather than over describe it, here is a (too long, I know...) screencast showing how it works. Feedback appreciated as well as any ideas to improve it. I will eventually clean up the code and publish it somewhere (just working out some additional features for a progress bar showing upload of larger files, and hopefully automatic conversion of video to flash video a la Youtube...)

Here is the powerpoint file... 

socialnetworking.ppt

The day was a great experience for me. It was especially nice to open our eyes a bit and work with folks from our co-terminus Board. Big thanks to Gabe and Jim for the invitation. Hopefully the start of long term collaboration...

MrP also had some reflections on the day... 

If you are using podcasts in primary grades, perhaps you can assist... 

kaymcc@eircom.net

Hello,
I am an Irish primary teacher, currently doing some research on Podcasting in
Primary Education, for my Master’s degree at Trinity College Dublin.  There
are currently very few, if any, primary schools in Ireland using podcasting as
an educational tool.  

From my reading, and Internet searches, I see that you have been using
podcasting for a number of years and have developed some expertise in the area.
 

In order to help me with my work, I would be most grateful if you would
complete this online survey:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=VtgTBEWcUTepJPf3Jf0EFQ_3d_3d

Many thanks,

Kay McCarthy

Full article text is available online here.

(disclaimer - I'm one of the contributors to the Elgg project, so I am a bit biased about what a great tool it is :-)