1. Running Head: UNIT EIGHT 1
Unit Eight: Dr. Mary Learns a New System
Connectivist’s Perspective
Lauren Fowler-Carter
University of Houston – Clear Lake

2. UNIT EIGHT 2
Unit Eight: Dr. Mary Learns a New System
Connectivist’s Perspective
For 23 years, Dr. Mary Thomas and her staff have been keeping their office and patient
medical records in paper form. Mary has a computer of her own that her children bought her for
her 60th birthday, but she rarely uses the computer. She attempted to take a computer class at a
local community center, but after three one-hour lessons, Mary’s frustrations got the best of her
and she never returned for more lessons.
Being a family doctor, Mary decided that it may be time to transfer her paper medical
records into electronic format. With the new developments in technology, Mary felt that this
would be the best decision to make for her business. Doing so would allow obtainment of
records quicker and save space in the office, especially since less space is available for the
medical records. During the transfer to electronic records, Mary feels it would be best to keep the
current paper medical records just in case the attempt to handle business electronically fails.
Soon, the Electronic Medical Records (EMR) software is installed on all of the
computers. A work day was designated for training on the new electronic system. Mary wanted
her Nurse Practitioners and other staff to get the most of the training day, just for situations, like
when Mary would be out for vacation. By focusing a majority of the training on her staff, Mary
somehow missed vital information regarding the new electronic system. She figured that her staff
would be able to catch her up to speed, knowing the fact that she has never been a fan of
computers and this new technology.
In order for Dr. Mary to learn the new system, she relies on what her staff learned during
their experiences in the training session. Collectively, Dr. Mary’s staff shared their experiences
and what they learned about the new software during the training session. Through her staff
sharing this information with Dr. Mary, she was able to learn how to learn when it was necessary
to use certain functions on the EMR system. Now that she knew the appropriate times to use the
functions, it was now time for Dr. Mary to learn how to navigate through the system.
Never giving computers the fair chance, Dr. Mary decides to let her staff help her learn to
navigate through the EMR system. After much help and training, eventually Dr. Mary was able
to navigate through the EMR system on her own. With the experiences of her staff she was able
to accomplish learning the new system.
Initial Focus Questions & Answers
1. How is Dr. Mary learning in this story?
- Dr. Mary is learning through what her staff learned during the training session and their
experiences
2. If Dr. Mary did not learn this way, what would be her other option (if any)?
- If Dr. Mary was not able to use her network and learn from her staff, she would either
have the original trainer stay longer and personally train her, or Dr. Mary would have to
learn the EMR system on her own.
3. Would you change anything in the way that Dr. Mary’s staff decided to teach her the new
system?

3. UNIT EIGHT 3
- (subjective) The story does not state exactly what methods were used for the staff to
sharing their experiences with the EMR training. If the staff just spoke this information to
her one by one, I would change that they use some type of program to put all of their
experiences on. It could be many variations, for example, audio, PowerPoint, blog, etc. I
think it would be more beneficial for Dr. Mary to be able to refer back to the information
her staff gives her.
4. Did Dr. Mary’s failed attempt to learn how to operate computers at the community center
effect her learning the new system?
- The story does not specifically say that her failed attempt affected her, but it could be
assumed that her not learning how to operate computers at the community center,
delayed her learning towards the new system.
5. How is Dr. Mary’s learning progress monitored?
- The story does not state that a formal evaluation is given. Progress of Dr. Mary’s
learning, I believe is more self-monitoring.
6. As we continue in the digital age, do you feel that Dr. Mary will continue to take
advantage of network learning? (Explain)
- (subjective) Yes or No. Why?
7. What is your personal opinion of network learning/connectivism?
- (subjective) I believe that network learning can be beneficial in some instances, but I do
not see it being something that I would do all the time. I do like learning from others, but
at the same time, I like to learn for myself.