At the beginning of the term we use mindmapping software on the computer to conduct a mindmap of the advantages of using technology in k-6. I found the software fun and easy to use and would be well worth implementing in a classroom as a learning activity. I think students would find it interesting and motivating. Reflecting on this i decided to do some more reading on mindmapping. I read Cognitive tools by Roberston, Elliot and Robinson (2007).
Cognitive tools should allow students to “activate metacognitive learning strategies”. What is metacognitive learning strategies? They’re strategies that are used when students encounter new information, connect it to prior knowledge then construct and revise their schemata.
These tool are effective because it allows the students to think about the cognitive process and the program assists them in developing and representing the learning with these tools.
When students are allowed to play the role of the developer or designer, it has been shown that students often perform at a higher level and surprise their teacher. Students become engaged and motivated to produce a well designed quality piece of work and enjoy focusing on the design element which helps them think about the cognitive process. These cognitive programs “promote the evolution of a wide range of skills that are valued both in the classroom and beyond” (Lehrer, Erickson & Connell, 1994, p. 250). These programs will be beneficial to all involved in the classroom learning environment.
Constructionism comes from the theorist Jean Piaget and some of the ideas of the theory of experimental learning. Papert defines constructionism as “The word constructionism is a mnemonic for two aspects of the theory of science education underlying this project. From constructivist theories of psychology we take a view of learning as a reconstruction rather than as a transmission of knowledge. Then we extend the idea of manipulative materials to the idea that learning is most effective when part of an activity the learner experiences as constructing a meaningful product.” What i like most about this quote is that constructionism occurs when the learner is conducting his own learning experiences and experimenting in a meaningful project or learning experience.
The role of the teacher in constructionism is to be the mediator rather than giving instructions. The teacher is to allow the child to involve themselves in experimental learning which allows the child to draw their own conclusions from the creative experimentation and the creating of social objects.
My understanding of constructionism and it’s role with technology in the classroom has become a lot clearer after reading this article on wikipedia.
I read an article by Idit Harel on what makes a good website for children here are my thoughts on it.
I just read an article by Idit Harel called ‘Sand Castles go digital’, discusses the most powerful form of learning is constructionist learning. This is where children take roles in their play as the designer and the constructor. Like the child on the beach building a sandcastle is engaging in active play and taking the role of the designer and constructor. Harel states that Papert says, “the idea that this happens especially felicitously in a context in which the learner is consciously engaged in constructing a public entity, whether it’s a sand castle on the beach or a theory of the universe.” It’s about building and creating opportunity on a moment created in the play by the child.
How can sandcastle go digital? Well when you build a sand castle it’s only temporary because of it’s environment but the Internet and web allow for learning to share, reflect, add and to extended the learning experience. I think if teachers take this attitude into their classroom when working with new technology it will greatly increase constructionist learning in the school environment.
In our class recently we had the opportunity to learn how to make a digital story. I have just read Jess’s Blog and she recently made a posting about the benefits of using a digital story in the classroom. I agree with Jess that it allows for students to practice writing a narrative in a new an exciting way and will broaden their horizons.
You may be thinking why would digital stories be significant in the classroom? Well, Jess has a brilliant quote from her article 7 things you need to know about digital stories. It is significant because “The oral tradition of knowledge transfer and exchange has served as the basis for education since humans began teaching one another, and digital stories build on the model by incorporating rich, dynamic media.”
Like Jess i enjoyed making my digital story and found it a rewarding experience and would like to incoporate it into my classroom.
I have just watched a video on Anna’s blog about Allanah King a New Zealand teacher who incorporates online learning with her year 4 and 5 students. I would have to agree with Anna that she is an inspirational teacher and also very passionate about her students. Most importantly a great example of how to use new technology within the learning environment.
What I also found interesting was that she went to teacher’s tutorial so she could learn about how to use the new technology she had been given within her classroom to benefit her students. I think this is a very important point and something that we should be incorporating in schools today so students in Australia can benefit from online learning.
SOURCE OF VIDEO: http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=93fe8abcfe3ce2003e5c
I just read a journal article by Graeme Salter (2000) about online discussion groups. Online discussion groups fit well with the constructivist approach. Online discussion groups are becoming more common and some students benefit greatly from this enabling this learning. ‘The effectiveness of online learning educational environment depends upon the way learning tasks generate interaction’.
The Benefits of online discussion groups
1. Asynchronous nature
2. Reflection, critical thinking and communicating. It caters for the more reflective and thoughtful students and slower learners who have time to process the discussion and contribute on their reflections.
3. Improve group Processes, meaning it avoids face-to-face interaction problems.
4. Student Centred learning.
5. Collaborative
Problems
1. Limmited communication. Students can experience information overload and miscommunication can occur.
2. Lack of participation
3. Communication anxiety. Students have trouble using the online media .
Strategies to overcome these problems is the lecture should set the scene of the online learning discussion group so every students knows what is expected. By Appointing a mediator, they can help stimulate discussion check for participation and overcome any miscommunication occurring. Allow students to control the discussion group. Encourage participation by grading, meaning compulsory postings per week and allowing for debates, role plays and simulations to occur. This will help avoid the problems of an online discussion group and aid in it being more .
After reflecting on my post about PowerPoint and the article (From powerful ideas to PowerPoint by S Turkle), the question of ‘what is the role of the computer within the classroom?’ stayed in my head. Many teachers, parents, principles and students view the role of the computer as aesthetic or programming device. The article talked about how the term computer literacy is mostly thought or defined as the visual thought as the ability to use the computer as an information appliance for such purposes as work processing, running simulations, accessing educational CD-ROMS, navigating the Internet is using presentation software such as powerpoint.
We need society to realise that computer can do more than that they should be viewed as the simulation tool. Simulation is becoming more popular and children are engaged in. It involves computer programs where students play the game by designing their own activity e.g an ecosystem. Their success in the game depends on their ability to develop an understanding e.g ecosystems and learning through trial and error.
These games prodcutively stimulates and involved the children and they are motivated to develop their understanding to further their success in the game.
What is the advantage of collaborative e-learning within the classroom? The article Minds on Fire by Seely Brown, J. & Adler (2008), discusses that collaborative learning is becoming more common and is proved to have a greater success rate for students who participate in collaborative learning. Collaborative learning is one of todays new age technology rushes, with programs such as myspace, facebook, email, chatrooms and blogs allowing people to network with each other all over the world. The article also talks about how ‘productive inquiry’ which John Dewy states as the process of seeking the knowledge when it is needed in order to carry out a particular situated task. The article then discusses that this best done collaboratively. The article discussed how university students who studied in groups through discussion boards and e-learning methods that met once a week performed better than students who studied by themselves. This figure shows how collaborative e-learning could work with new technology in todays classroom.
A new program has been developed that involes e-learning in science and HSIE, which they believe will enhance learning for students and motivation when done collaboratively. This figure shows the different collaborative learning programs.
I have just read a confrence paper ‘From Powerful Ideas to Powerpoint’ by S Turkle (2003). This article discusses the advantage of using powerpoint in the classroom to enhance students learning ability. Turkle discusses that powerpoint has a way of simplifying an assignemnt and motivates students through the availblity of multimedia. Turkle also states powerpoint accomadates for many different types of cognitive learning. It represents the point through charts, the use of pictures and narratives. Powerpoint is also a good tool to help students to organise their thoughts.
Ultimatley turkle argues that the purpose of powerpoint is to make a point. The best powerpoint presentations will be engaging and very clear and powerful and will be impossible to argue, through it’s demonstration of that point.
I beleive powerpoint is an effective program for teachers to use in the classroom to enhance individual learning for students but also for teachers to use as a teaching tool to help explain concepts to students.
