We are better together than we are on our own.

Personal Learning Networks

I see two main functions here: learning through collaboration and supporting each other. At the moment I do not belong to an online PLN. My school and colleagues are where and with who I find support, ideas, etc. But, I’m not at school all the time and I’m not really in contact with my staff over the summer. Even during the year there are many occasions when I wish I could I share with colleagues at other schools. For example, since my French Resources (graphic organizers+) are largely made by me, would others want to use them too? I know I would love to “share” their ideas too! Beyond making our teaching materials available to each other we could share articles, useful website, our successes (maybe failures too) which could all create some rich learning opportunities.

After listening to my peers present their various technological resources, I wondered if and which I would actually use. As of now I am not a consistent tweeter and I don’t see myself becoming one soon. I do, however, use Facebook and could see myself using Edmodo as a meeting place for my PLN–at, and beyond my school. So, that is one of my new goals. I can start by inviting teachers I know to join and see how is goes. (Not for my students at this point though.)

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I think I can…I think I can…

Kendra Cherry explains in, “What is Self-Efficacy?” that according to Albert Bandura, self-efficacy is “the belief in one’s capabilities to organize and execute the courses of action required to manage prospective situations.” In other words, self-efficacy is a person’s belief in his or her ability to succeed in a particular situation. Bandura described these beliefs as determinants of how people think, behave, and feel (1994).

http://psychology.about.com/od/theoriesofpersonality/a/self_efficacy.htm

Bandura’s “Self-Efficacy”, as part of his Social Cognitive Theory, makes other words come to mind like: empowerment, confidence, self-esteem…

At school, as teachers, we create opportunities for success and growth for our students. We support them but ultimately, I believe the child should recognize their own efforts, the product of their learning being their own.This process empowers, builds confidence and self-esteem. Ideally, students will also enjoy another benefit: greater perseverance and trust in their abilities when taking on challenging situations.

So, to simplify, by doing, gaining experience and hopefully, finding success, we can be more self-effacacious learners. We can learn we CAN.

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How does Bandura’s notion of Self-Efficacy relate to the blog I’m trying to make? To this class? To me as a efficacious learner?

Here’s one way of looking at it: before this course I was not particularly comfortable with new technology. I was slowly experimenting with new devices and applications, but was overall not feeling too confident. By the middle of this course, I found myself using more technology I could have imagined and…I wasn’t struggling to use it! I was having some success! Why? I had examples of how to use it, peer and teacher support, opportunities to practice and I was able to notice my own growth. (Bandura’s four main sources of Self-Efficacy: Social Modeling, Social Persuasion, Mastery, Psychological Responses.) Now, as we are nearing the end of the course, I can say I am more resilient when facing ‘new technology’. I have more of a “can do” attitude and my experiences in this class have made me more a more efficacious learner.