Learning+Theroies+and+Education

Turn ads off - $5/month #|edit      Save#|Cancel || **Learning Theroy and Educational Technology** Introduction Constructivism learning theory and technology go hand in hand. Technology is growing everyday it is something that can no longer be taught with only a text book explain what it is. It must be used and explored in order to reach an understanding and to grasp the basic concepts. Constructivism as an educational learning theory that is nothing new. It is not a radical concept and for the most part educators have been using it without knowing that there was a label for their teaching style. In is based on the concept that learning is an active, constructive process (Anonomous, 2010). Students learn on various levels through hand on experiences, through doing rather than just be drilled information to be repeated and memorized. With a grant received from the state we will have one laptop for every student as well as a smartboard in each classroom. Technology can play a beautiful part in this sort of educational practice not only as a tool to learn with, but as devices concepts and ideas to learn about. I will use TIP model of design for integrating and embedding technology into the classroom with the laptops and the whiteboard that has been newly received. Constructivism and the Educational Platform First, I will discuss in further detail constructivism as a learning theory. Constructivism is a highly active and interactive process. It places great value on the student and requires the teacher to guide and be a mentor rather than a lecture (Glaserfeld, 1995). It is based on the fact that children and adults alike will learn through meaningful and directed real world content and authentic tasks. Each step in the process of learning is centered upon the concept that the process of doing creates the knowledge and mastery of ideas and concepts to gain the skills and the knowledge to move forward to a larger goal. The process is very well received through the effort of group exercises and the exchange of multiple perceptions (Glaserfeld, 1995). Constructivism as a learning theory empowers the student to learn how to access information rather than memorize it. The assimilation of information and how to use and retrieve it is of utmost importance to the structure of the constructivism learning theory (Gergen, 1995). This is where we can truly see that the technology of today can be an aid, a tool well used so long as we are aware of what we are using the tool for. Of the most common use of a computer by the youth of today is as a device for media and communication. The personal computer is of great value especially as the devices the students cherish work hand in hand as a means to exchange information between devices. I also believe that the pc is one of the greatest tools available to us at this time for the storage and retrieval of information. Step one is to determine relative advantage, I have determined that the relative advantage of embedding technology into my classroom is simply stated an advantage for the students. Technology is all around us. The students of today are multitasking media whores, techno junkies if you will. It is no longer about who has a computer, or a cell phone, but who has the latest releases, the new toy, and what is hot on the market. They want their information now and their communications to be responded to instantly (Anonomous, 2010). Feedback is of utmost importance as social networking has reached a whole new level. Integrating technology into education will allow the students of today to get what they want, a fully interactive quick to respond educational plan. I am going to focus specifically on the creation of student centered and created virtual classroom. Step two is to create objectives and assessments. The objectives are as follows: 1) to create an online learning forum, 2) to show responsible research techniques, and 3) to foster group collaboration. The assessment techniques follow: 1) students will show progressive understanding of online learning forums and techniques for use, 2) students will recognize various levels of learning, 3) students will research and document all sources, 4) student feedback on the Moodle website will act as the final assessment. Both the objectives and the assessments relate directly to the constructivist learning theory as they are both students centered and student driven. The primary focus will be on group collaboration. Step three is design integration strategies. In order for this project to be successful each student will be issued a laptop. The students will work primarily in groups, but individual and original work will also be necessary for this collaboration. The students will compile all necessary data and agree upon the most fundamentally important information necessary to develop online course work. Documents will be stored and accessible by all in Google docs until such time that the website is up and running. Step four is to prepare the instructional environment. This will be done by insuring that each student has a laptop fully prepared with the proper hardware and software. All students will need to have access to the internet in the school environment. We will use moodle.org as the frame work for the learning experience. In the classroom we will make use of the schools whiteboard on a weekly basis to evaluate the class work and see the big picture. It will be at this time weekly that we will track any changes that need to be made and for an agreement on the coming week’s goals. The end result will be a fully functioning online learning site that will be completed one week before terms end. The final week of class will be for evaluations. Which brings us to step five of the integration process: evaluate and revise the integration strategies. In the final week of class we will begin to use the online learning forum. We will evaluate and glitches or holes that need to be filled, by using the program. Students will provide feedback in the areas of; ease of use and accessibility, value of the information and learning process, accessibility of the information, and perceived educational value. ** Conclusion ** Constructivism theory and technology go hand on hand. With technology we have the ability to collaborate in groups in various levels, such is the goal of a constructivist learning environment. Using the new equipment my classroom will be able to move forward and grow with the current trends of technology. We will progress as a group as well as individually. My students will learn how to not only use the technology, but also understand its uses. References Anonomous. (2010, 01 17). //home//. Retrieved 01 17, 2010, from Constructivism as a Theory: [] Gergen, K. J. (1995). Social Construction and the Educational Practice. //Constructivism in Education//, 30- 36. Glaserfeld, E. V. (1995). A Constructivist Aproach to Education. //Constructivism in Education//, 11-15.
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