Construction Vs Instruction

The article ‘Constructionism Versus Instructionism’ is based upon the idea that children need to construct their own learning rather than been instructed on what to learn and ultimately not conserving the information taught. This article represents the practical debate in the ‘real-world’ of teaching, by which, teachers have to incorporate many different teaching styles within their program of teaching. The ability for a teacher to recognise the importance for children to reflect and respond on their own individual learning and that of others is a key resources to ultimately educate the new generation of students. The continuous change in our society tends to lean towards that of constructionism however, as schools have not under gone the same development and change the teaching style coincide with this lack of development. According to Papert. S, teaching is important yet learning is more important. This quote defines my essence of teaching by which my teaching strategies and ideas are commonly important however, the ultimate need for children to learn is the most vital aspect of schooling and this will never change. It is therefore vital for teachers to incorporate constructionism- by which students construct their own meaning from experiences and conserve this information by which they build upon as they grow.

Final Culminating Statement

When asked to write about my ideas towards e-learning in the classroom i began to reflect on my own learning as a child. The technology introduced during my schooling days was one that lacked anything and if it was ever used it was widely restricted by the teachers. I remembered the use of computers in the library and how much i wanted to learn more about them. This memory coincides with many of my major points toward e-learning in the classroom. The need for students to remain on task, be motivated and develop as the new world and economy does are key points that have impacted my beliefs about e-learning. The ability for teachers and students to learn together, reflect on individual learning and construct meaning by exploration are my key ideas that have continuously developed over the course of several months. The inability for students to remain motivated, discover and develop through intructional teaching are an increasingly important area of teaching that needs to be constantly assessed (Littlejohn, 2007). Allowing students to construct and uncover their own meanings through manipulated experiences such as educational computer games as they are the access to success in education. The need for teachers to keep students motivated and ecourage positive influential learning can be brought upon by e-learning in the classroom (Donnelly, 2008). Such technologies include; smart boards by which students and teachers can interact with each other and learning resources and homework on the internet (these have been discusses in my pages and posts). The ability for students to be actively engaged is important as students can conserve the information presented for many years to come.

Through this blogging experience and the e-learning subject i have learned new and increasingly productive ways to teach. I have also began to learn about the alternate use of strategies when teaching to students. Originally i believed that teaching was about instructing students to manipulate a task by which students can remember and re-use as they develop. However, through the discovery of e-learning i have become to understand that education is only brought upon the need for students to continuous construct new meaning from that which is already stored. This coincides with the use of technology in schools. The ability for student to create digital stories about what they have learned and use podcasts to inform other students of their achievements allows students to construct their own individual learning- the true meaning of education.

I now recognise the true importance of teachers in the concept of educating. Incorporating e-kills and the ideas presented during this course has allowed myself to move away from the common source of teaching- instructionism- and move towards the ever-so changing realm of constructionism through the use of technology in my class. Allowing children to self-explore through alternate technologies will enhance my ability to teach a class. The collective use of blogging as a communication resource will be a definite in my teaching as i believe that communication between the parents, student and teacher are vital in a child’s education (Hils, 2001). The ability for constant communication is a great way to maintain this level of discussion. The use of alternate presentation strategies is important to provide children with encouragement. The ability for students to be constantly incorporated in these alternate ways of presentation e.g. digital stories and podcasts, can add to a child’s perception of learning and praise those students who do not regularly receive it. The ultimate implication for teaching is that of allowing children to self- explore and discover through the use of alternate technologies- although it my be time consuming and need guidelines i truly believe it will raise the level of education and incorporate new teachings styles not only in my class but hopefully in the rest of the school.

Reference List

Dancheck, M (2002). Bringing Affective behaviour to e-learning. Canadian University: Canada.

Donnelly, R (2008). Applied e-learning and e-teaching in education. Hershey PA: Information Science Press.

Hills, C (2001). Making a Transition to e-learning: strategies and issues. Hershey PA: Information Science Press.

Little John, A (2007). Preparing for blended e-learning. New York: Routledge Publishing.

Active Learning

Active learning

This video is my Digial Story about Active engagment in schools. This video raises some interesting posts in the debate about the different strategies for teaching. Active engagement goes hand in hand with e-learning and the need for students to be educated in a range of means. The ability for students to maintain on class and truly understand the meaning for their education is the goal for all teachers.

Games are the new education…

Gaming

Going along with the theory of constructivism, games are the new education by which children use them as resources to build upon their learning, knowledge, thoughts and ideas. Creative play is one of the most important ways children can discover their learning. The ability for children to learn at their own pace. The need for children to explore within their own environment and play games that represent real experiences are a vital resource for teachers to use within their education. The podcasts Gaming is a video by which discusses the need for computer gaming within the classroom. It is stated that gaming can be used to both consolidate and introduce a topic and can be used as a tool in the classroom to allow children to self discover the important learning KLA’s. I believe that games are the way to education. The ability for children to self explore on computer games by which provide constant instructions and monitor a child’s learning is a great way for a teacher to constantly reinforce particular learning. Games provide constant encouragement and motivation for children to maintain on tasks and enjoy their learning. I will incorporate computer games into my teacher and at leasts constantly use games to encourage self discovery within their learning and provide consistant motivation.

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Digitally recorded educational experiences

Veiwing the Podcast – Geo literacy Skills- it demonstrates the different ways you can document an educational experience by which students can access and can be used in further educational lessons. The ability for students to continuously visulise their learning is an important aspect for children to develop cognitively. The ability for children to reflect on their learning not only from their memory is a great way for children to enhance their knowledge and skills. This video- digitial story is a great way for a teacher to assess children on particular learning experiences as the teacher is presented with the new views and ideas created by the learning experience. The need for teachers to introduce the use of technology- especially digital stories is vital in the need for students to think beyond the one experiences which will inevitably enhance the knowledge and skills of a child- the true meaning to education!!!

Sheridan School Showcase!

Recently reading the blog ‘Sheridan School Showcase’ i have began to understand the true positives of education learned through technology and the use of e-learning within the school. This blog has been set up as a way for the teacher to provide feedback about their classes learning experiences by which all involved can access and view. I think this is such a great idea because students can visulise their work on the internet a place where all their achievement can be celebrated. The ability for all involved to access this information allows children to feel validated and introduces them to new ways of thinking. The ability for the teacher to introduce podcasts – reading their poems they have written – adds another step to the lesson and gives children a real reason for these literacy skills. When children know they are going to be watched not only by the teacher in the classroom but by others all over the world at any time, allows children to understand the true importance of all their education and provides and reflection on their abilities within their contextual environment. I think this blog is a fabulous idea and i will certainly be using it in my further teaching.

Bringing education into the 21st century

I have recently read the article How to bring our schools out of the 20th century which discusses the need to bring schools from the common pencil, paper, instructional teaching to that of something that is worthwhile for students to learn from. This article recognises the need for the all important mathematical and scientific skills and knowledge yet expresses the need for schools to catch up with the ever so adapting world around us. With the growing global economy based upon technology the need for schools to change and adapt to this new age is ever so important. When reading this article i imagined what school was like for myself and when entering a school for prac i realised nothing had really changed. I then began to think of why this hadn’t happened and how the world outside of school has change so much. I began to think all this children must at least have a Nintendo wee or a computer or a mobile phone at home. However, when entering school they understand that it is not a place for technology. I don’t understand this. If 5 yr olds can use a mobile phone, then why aren’t we utilizing the technology choices in our schools. Why cant children use photoshop in art or create i movies instead of role plays. Allowing children to understand that school is preparing them for real life then we need to incorporate all aspects of there lives- including technology and the use of e-learning in schools. Although it has been discussed by teachers that the idea of e-skills being taught in the primary school is a great idea they have expressed the lack of time they have within one day. Wanting to please but all teachers are unable to find the tme to incorporate the entire curiculum plus additional educational needs and then for e-learning. I understand boths sides, recognises that the world is changing into a techno digital age schools need to follow in this direction, however some aspects of the curriculum and school days needed to be assessed before we can cram more into a child’s day!!!

constructivie learning

When understanding the concept of constructive learning you need to recognise the differences in the way of learning than that of teacher directed learning. Whilst on prac and completing the last assignment i truly began to understand the importance of constructive learning- by which children can construct their own meaning from difference experiences. The help of IT and e-learning in constructive learning is a great way for teachers to introduce the use of constructive learning. The ability for children to explore through different mediums allow children to ultimately construct new meanings from different experiences (different means). Teachers need to constantly reflect on their own learning and teaching, in order for children to learn at their best capabilities!!!!

e-learning in prac

I am about to finish my prac and have learnt so much about teaching in many different ways. I have also learnt that although using technology such as podcasts in the classroom is a good idea in theory it is a lot of work which adds to the pile a teacher has. I still believe using blogging technologies to enhance communication between the teacher, parents and the student is a great idea. The reduction of time writing, paper, and the ability for constant communication is a great idea. Understanding that teachers are constantly working, i believe that IT should be used in allocated times e.g. computer times, whereby students are introduced into new softwares and technologies, yet doesn’t interrupt into teacher time of the KLA’s.  Although i think IT can take a lot of time i still believe that it would be a great idea and an enhancement in children’s education.

Top 10 reasons for blogs in the classroom

I have just finished watching the video posted on youtube which discusses the need for blogs in the classroom. The open statement is that blogs increase the level of literacy used, as children become more interested within the interaction of class members and work associated to particular lesson. I believe this is a great way to share views on a topic, read alternate sources of information and interact with all members of the class at different times. The ability to post all resources on a blog allows the teacher to provide all students with an immense amount of information for them to categorise into their own knowledge and thinking. The ability for students to be provided with the exact same experience through out the grade allows students to work at their own individual level and understand the ways in which others works. The ability for students to reflect, respond, interact and enjoy their learning through blogs is a great way for students to learn. Therefore i believe that it is important that blogs are used for school activities and learning to provide opportunities that pen and paper does not.