Lev Vygotsky
Vygotsky believed strongly in the importance of the social and cultural factors on children’s learning. His work strongly emphasised social learning and he encouraged the essentials of students working together to solve problems and teachers’ ‘scaffolding’ their students learning. Scaffolding is the process in which the adult supports children’s learning by, for instance, asking key questions or encouraging children to work through a similar example first. Vygotsky also states the significance of the zone of proximal development (ZPD).
(http://tip.psychology.org/vygotsky.html) ZPD refers to the notion that the level of skill a learner can reach in collaboration with an adult or peer collaboration, will exceed what can be achieved alone.
William Glasser
William Glasser’s Choice theory provides a framework for understanding why and how people behave. Choice theory suggests that all behaviour has its own purpose and this behaviour is related to satisfying the five genetic needs that all individuals are driven by. (Harshman, 2006) http://www.wglasser.com/whatisct.htm The theory suggests that all individuals have basic needs including survival, love and belonging, power, freedom and fun. Once all needs are satisfied, individuals are more likely to be motivated to learn.
Glasser’s choice theory suggests that all behaviour is chosen and that individuals can only have control over their own behaviour. (Harshman, 2006) Choice theory also suggests that no other individual can make you do or feel anything. All that an individual can do is to influence another by giving information, and it is up to that individual to make a decision regarding this information. http://www.ausport.gov.au/fulltext/2002/achper/Piltz2.pdf
Piaget stated four stages in cognitive development. These are:
• Sensorimotor Stage (0-2 years)
• Preoperational Stage (2-7 years)
• Concrete Stage (7-12 years)
• Formal-operational Stage (from 12 years)
http://www.funderstanding.com/piaget.cfm
These stages of cognitive development are believed to be the reason for the separation of schools into levels such as pre-school, primary and secondary.(2001) (http://hsc.csu.edu.au/pro_dev/teaching_online/how_we_learn/developmental.html)I believe that allocating certain age groups into specific levels of schooling is extremely effective because it allows individuals to progress from one cognitive stage to another. For instance, individuals from the pre-operational stage can not learn with individuals from the concrete operational stage because they are at a different cognitive level. That is the reason why the majority of schools do not combine five year old children with ten year old children in the one classroom.
Piaget’s theory of cognitive development is based on a constructivist view of learning. (2001) Piaget contributed to genetic epistemology the study of the development of knowledge. He theorised that individuals have ‘schemes’ mental concepts in their minds. For knowledge to take place ‘adaptation’ must take place. Adaptation is what Piaget sees as the final process in which individuals must adapt to their environment when a conflict of knowledge occurs. Individuals go through to processes. These are: assimilation and accommodation.
Assimilation is the concept that new information is accepted with the existing information. Accommodation is when new information is an old schema is adjusted with new information. (http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/piaget.html)
Jerome Bruner
Jerome Bruner organised the process of education into four basic parts: structure, readiness for learning, intuitive and analytical thinking, and motives for learning. Bruner explained that the role of structure in learning is about learning how things are related. Bruner suggested that the initial teaching of any subject should emphasise grasping the main points intuitively. He believed that the curriculum should then re-examine these points repeatedly so that students eventually understand the points and make connections between them until the student has grasped full understanding. He called this cycle the spiral curriculum.
(Smith, M.K, 2002) http://www.infed.org/thinkers/bruner.htm
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Question 3 - Online Learning
Online Learning
Online learning is effective in constructing knowledge. It provides students with effective ways to maximise their learning. Online learning provides effective possibilities for learners. These include:
• Provide opportunities for exploration
• Provide convenience to accessing information
• Allow discussions to take place in the classroom
During this course I was able to use websites that helped me understand ICT. Using the internet I am able to search information that is relevant to me. I found that some websites had too much text. I was then able to search for other websites that helped me to understand certain concepts. For example, to help in my understanding that as a teacher I must cater for different learning styles. I was able to find scholarly articles that suggested that catering for different learning styles and intelligences must be considered while teaching. I found this to be too much information for me to digest. Thence, I was able to use the KartOO website to help in understanding that to cater for different learning styles I must incorporate relevant resources so that concepts would be easier to grasp. This KartOO website is a search engine I can incorporate in my lessons. Therefore online learning has provided me with endless opportunities to explore the internet.
Also, during this course I realised how easy it is to access information. There are so many articles, pictures and websites. This is an important aspect I found as useful in online learning. I believe accessing information can be restricted if using resources such as textbooks. In my experience I have noticed how frustrating it can be if the book you want is on loan. This restricts my opportunities in accessing information. The convenience of the internet is useful and its easy access allows individuals to use the internet any time of the day on any day. When content is online, I find content is easy to access. Tools such as communication such as when news is posted on the student portal individuals are notified more quickly and easily. However, it can be said that online learning can provide frustrating issues such as technical problems. Although these events can be unforeseen, online learning is effective in conveying concepts more easily then if a teacher lectures. This maximises my classroom experience.
Online learning is an effective pedagogical tool. Through searching websites online, I was able to discuss my findings to others. This allowed me to refine my searching skills. I was able to use online tools such as blogging and using wikis to help in understanding that the internet is a valuable tool for my learning. I consider social interactions allowed me to understand concepts more thoroughly with the help of others. Having discussions allowed me to see through my peer’s perspectives. Online tools such as google’s spreadsheet documents allowed me to read other people opinions on certain concepts. These tools were important and were significant aspects in online learning. Therefore, online learning is effective in maximising an individual’s learning through the use of tools that are available online. The advantages of online learning provide a significant impact to individuals and how they learn.
Online learning is effective in constructing knowledge. It provides students with effective ways to maximise their learning. Online learning provides effective possibilities for learners. These include:
• Provide opportunities for exploration
• Provide convenience to accessing information
• Allow discussions to take place in the classroom
During this course I was able to use websites that helped me understand ICT. Using the internet I am able to search information that is relevant to me. I found that some websites had too much text. I was then able to search for other websites that helped me to understand certain concepts. For example, to help in my understanding that as a teacher I must cater for different learning styles. I was able to find scholarly articles that suggested that catering for different learning styles and intelligences must be considered while teaching. I found this to be too much information for me to digest. Thence, I was able to use the KartOO website to help in understanding that to cater for different learning styles I must incorporate relevant resources so that concepts would be easier to grasp. This KartOO website is a search engine I can incorporate in my lessons. Therefore online learning has provided me with endless opportunities to explore the internet.
Also, during this course I realised how easy it is to access information. There are so many articles, pictures and websites. This is an important aspect I found as useful in online learning. I believe accessing information can be restricted if using resources such as textbooks. In my experience I have noticed how frustrating it can be if the book you want is on loan. This restricts my opportunities in accessing information. The convenience of the internet is useful and its easy access allows individuals to use the internet any time of the day on any day. When content is online, I find content is easy to access. Tools such as communication such as when news is posted on the student portal individuals are notified more quickly and easily. However, it can be said that online learning can provide frustrating issues such as technical problems. Although these events can be unforeseen, online learning is effective in conveying concepts more easily then if a teacher lectures. This maximises my classroom experience.
Online learning is an effective pedagogical tool. Through searching websites online, I was able to discuss my findings to others. This allowed me to refine my searching skills. I was able to use online tools such as blogging and using wikis to help in understanding that the internet is a valuable tool for my learning. I consider social interactions allowed me to understand concepts more thoroughly with the help of others. Having discussions allowed me to see through my peer’s perspectives. Online tools such as google’s spreadsheet documents allowed me to read other people opinions on certain concepts. These tools were important and were significant aspects in online learning. Therefore, online learning is effective in maximising an individual’s learning through the use of tools that are available online. The advantages of online learning provide a significant impact to individuals and how they learn.
Question 1
Question 1
There are many components to an interesting blog. In this blog I have included a
• Sound file
• Pictures and images
• Video clip
Sound files in a blog enables people to become engaged in what they are learning. Through the use of sound files, the audience is able to experience a positive experience while looking at your blog. It adds interest and in turn makes it an effective blog. People appreciate sound and hence the audience is able to retain more information with sound.
Pictures and images are also important in blogs. It is interesting and may help in conveying your message across to the audience.The use of images allows individuals to connect concepts easily. With the use of images, people are able to effectively link information together. Individuals are able to grasp concepts easier with graphics and images as the use of these enables the individual to confirm what they have learned and it assists in constructing knowledge. Therefore it is a valuable tool in the learning process. Images may add more meaning to information, hence individuals are likely to remember the information. Remembering information can be effective through pictures than text. Therefore, the use of images and graphics in a blog is effective in conveying messages to an audience.
Video Clip
Video Clips is an effective way to make a blog interesting. It is a tool used to make a blog effective in conveying it message. People absorb information through visual displays, such as motion pictures and images. And with the use of sound it allows people to allow information to be absorbed through both listening and seeing. Video clips assist in engaging people. Video clips also assist in constructing knowledge. By having discussions, people are able to build a greater sense of knowledge. It can be said that videos spark emotions, this allows students to retain information more likely in the long term. E.g A humourous video may assist in recalling information. Or a serious more factual video can assist in evoking other emotions. Video clips are good cognitive tools, individuals are likely to think more broadly through video clips than through words. Video clips usually have an underlying message that is conveyed to the audience. This message may promote a higher order of thinking in an individual.
There are many components to an interesting blog. In this blog I have included a
• Sound file
• Pictures and images
• Video clip
Sound files in a blog enables people to become engaged in what they are learning. Through the use of sound files, the audience is able to experience a positive experience while looking at your blog. It adds interest and in turn makes it an effective blog. People appreciate sound and hence the audience is able to retain more information with sound.
Pictures and images are also important in blogs. It is interesting and may help in conveying your message across to the audience.The use of images allows individuals to connect concepts easily. With the use of images, people are able to effectively link information together. Individuals are able to grasp concepts easier with graphics and images as the use of these enables the individual to confirm what they have learned and it assists in constructing knowledge. Therefore it is a valuable tool in the learning process. Images may add more meaning to information, hence individuals are likely to remember the information. Remembering information can be effective through pictures than text. Therefore, the use of images and graphics in a blog is effective in conveying messages to an audience.
Video Clip
Video Clips is an effective way to make a blog interesting. It is a tool used to make a blog effective in conveying it message. People absorb information through visual displays, such as motion pictures and images. And with the use of sound it allows people to allow information to be absorbed through both listening and seeing. Video clips assist in engaging people. Video clips also assist in constructing knowledge. By having discussions, people are able to build a greater sense of knowledge. It can be said that videos spark emotions, this allows students to retain information more likely in the long term. E.g A humourous video may assist in recalling information. Or a serious more factual video can assist in evoking other emotions. Video clips are good cognitive tools, individuals are likely to think more broadly through video clips than through words. Video clips usually have an underlying message that is conveyed to the audience. This message may promote a higher order of thinking in an individual.
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