"Forward Learning"

The new type of learning being introduced to students uses technology in a creative and interesting way. All kids are already on social networks and spending just as much time on the computer as television, but to combine the computer with the content of a regular classroom is very innovative and I wish this was available when i was in high school.

The Teaching side of "Forward Learning"

The advantage for the person teaching is mainly the visual part of it. They can have a power point with diagrams or a youtube video showing what they are actually trying to teach. I think that if the teachers had sufficient visuals than the students would be much more interested and attentive to what they are saying.

Teachers may not have to do the following with forward learning:

• answer the same question over and over
• spend more time than needed on topics (because of visuals)
• waste paper on print outs
• confuse students with directions

 The idea of "always on" learning is genius, I think. Whenever a student may have a question they can post a comment to the teacher's PLN and the teacher can respond when they feel like it. Because it is always on, the teacher can add information at anytime to the place where students go for their assignments! Especially with Chesser's idea of the text message, this can be used to it's full potential. The more the teacher fuzes the forward learning with his/her students, the better the "always on" teaching can be used to their advantage.

Homework or Twitter? Both at once...

 The Student Side of "Forward Learning"

Even if the students aren't listening to what is being said than they may be watching and still pick up a thing or two. The students are much more likely to watch a video lecture than a plain, old, regular, boring lecture by a teacher at the front of the class.

Students are already on most social networks and by using these as educational tools, they can interact with others in a positive manner as well as learn content on their courses at the same time.

Many students don't start their homework, because of procrastination, till late at night. They may not have a fresh memory of what the lesson was that day, or what the teacher's hints were in regards to the assignment. "Always on" learning takes care of this.

With a detailed blog post, for example, this problem would be taken care of. Pictures of the notes from class, explanations from the teacher themselves, give students that procrastinate a major advantage in starting that assignment the night before.





Overall, I think the forward learning and always on learning for students and teachers has unlimited potential. With using the web and it's resources and being able to refresh your memory on the lesson at any time can be the difference between a pass and a fail, or a 75 and an 80.