EDUC 8845 Module 1 Posting

3. Critique Siemen's 'metaphors of educators.' Which of these metaphors best describes the role you believe an instructor should take in a digital classroom or workplace? Is there a better metaphor to reflect your view of the role of instructors?



Each of the metaphors that Siemen lists for educators provide a rationale for a type of instructor.  They all have key aware that do need to be taken into consideration when curriculum is designed for the students.  Educators need to have all of the skills that each metaphor, (Master Artist, Network Administrator, Concierge, and Curator) in order to provide a sound educational experience for their students.  The need to be able to offer and help develop skills for their students such as,  informed perspectives on their work, create learning networks for themselves, providing directions to new resources or opportunities for their educational development, and to have the expertise to offer further insight as to how their knowledge can be connected to prior, current and future learning. (Siemens, 2008).

An instructor in the digital classroom needs to be a curator in my opinion.  The educator needs to have a strong background in the area that they are providing instruction, while being aware of all of the resources available to encourage learning.  This helps the student establish their own learning and encourages them to practice, play and utilize other sources in order to develop their own style of learning. Many of my students come with gaps in their skill development and it my job to find those gaps and close them or provide interventions for them to circumvent them. As a student in the digital world, I know that there are times when I need to know that there is someone to go to in order to help me out when I am using a new piece of technology or program.
I view educators as architects, because I have always viewed myself as a developmentalist.  I discover the students' current levels of learning and develop instruction in order to help that student learn.  Or as in some cases, fill in the gaps of learning that are missing in order to help them establish a firm foundation.  In order to do this I must be aware of all of the materials, curriculum, and technology that are available for the student in order to provide them with the best instruction, while helping them become responsible for their own learning. I think that educators need to be have as many tools in their toolbox in order to provide a sound educational experience for their students.  In our global world we need to solid background.

Reference:

Siemens, G. (2008, January 27). Learning and knowing in networks: changing roles for educators and designers. Paper presented to ITFORUM.Retrieved from http://it.coe uga.edu/itforum/paper105/siemens.pdf.