The document discusses meaningful learning in the digital age. It suggests that meaningful learning occurs through connecting new knowledge to existing understanding and that students' experiences are unique. It proposes using digital platforms like blogging to explicitly guide students in making individual connections between course materials, their own knowledge, and information they discover, and analyzing if this provides evidence that students are assimilating new knowledge. It provides examples of student blogs on various topics and concludes that digital tools may help foster meaningful learning.

2. Jill Leafstedt, Ph.D.
Executive Director of Teaching &
Learning Innovations
Senior Academic Technology Officer
Professor of Education
CSU Channel Islands

3. 1 2 3

4. …

5. Meaningful Learning
Before the Digital Age

10. Meaningful Learning in the
the Digital Age

12. Making
connections

13. ● If meaningful learning happens through connecting
new knowledge to existing cognitive structures
● And we wish students to learn new knowledge across
experiences
● And student experiences are unique and individual
● Then we must explicitly guide students through the
process of making connections while allowing for
individual pathways

15. WordPress
Blogging platform
All students, faculty & staff can
create their own site.

16. ● If given a digital platform, do individual learners
make meaningful connections between existing
knowledge, course material, and discovered
material?
● If yes, does this provide evidence of assimilation of
new knowledge to existing cognitive structures?

17. Examples
Nursing
● http://jaimeahannans.com/
● http://nrs420.kericanrn.cikeys.com/nrs420/prevent/
Composition
● http://cliftonjustice.cikeys.com/
● http://davidgclarkjr.cikeys.com/project-3/
Performing Arts Group
● http://artsunderthestars.populr.me/csu-channel-islandspresentsarts-
under-the-stars2016

18. Possibilities

19. Thank you!
@jleafstedt
jill.leafstedt@csuci.edu