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.

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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Using images in Education….!

Watching the slide show “using images in edu’ encouraged myself as a practicing teacher to use images in the classroom. This may involve the sue of Flickr or PowerPoint presentations. It was stated that images allow a child to remember and to process new information into images. This allows a child to continuously recognise what is being learned. As children learn from their experiences, images are able to provide children with these important experiences. i believe images are a great way to introduce a subject, create opinions, encourage critical thinking and stimulate students writing and extend their language. With the use of digital images within specific KLA’s will provide teachers with specific support needed within a lesson. For example, during an art lesson, students curiosity and creativity may be encouraged by images on specific topics or other artists.

However, a teacher needs to take into consideration of what images are chosen, the layout and what description is provided for each image used. This will enable positive use of image within the classroom.

Images will increase the use of the right-hand side of the brain and generate response in the left- the ultimate goal in educational lessons!!!

Facilitating Technology in the Classroom

I recently read a post on the blog ‘facilitating technology in the classroom’. This blog discusses the interesting and important ways to introduce technology into the classroom. This blog discussed the advantages of using media such as Photo story3 and Podcasts within the classroom. I believe that this would be a great idea and movement in the future for education. Enabling students to create their own individual work with media will generate motivation and expand their use of technology and creativity. However, consideration needs to be taken into account. Students defiantly will enjoy the use of technology with other KLA’s, however the practicing teacher needs to manage their teaching activities with the prescribed curriculum of those KLA’s involved, needs to manage time and restrict the use of these media software. This will allow students to increase their knowledge in softwares as well as allow them to expand their knowledge of education in other ways other than paper and pencil. The use of blogs by students could be a great use of communication. Students can learn of their homework and what is expected of them, as well as parents being able to communicate with the teacher and understand what is expected of their child. Therefore i believe that technology should be incorporated into the classroom as a positive means of education.