Hi Colleagues ,
I was asked to post the other two principles, so, here they are:
* Learning is social.
We have long recognized the value of having students work together in a group to accomplish some types of learning tasks. However, a social theory of learning reflects a fundamentally different view, where knowledge "is a matter of competence with respect to valued enterprises" and knowing "is a matter of participating in the pursuit of such enterprises" (Wenger, 1998, p. 4). Learning, then, amounts to increasing participation in and contribution to the practices of a social community. Concepts such as knowledge building, and mentoring become paramount, as learners are conceived to be under the tutelage of more experienced peers or instructors. A social view of learning focuses attention on making connections among students within a school and between students in the school and the broader community. How can modern technologies support and enhance these connections?
* Learning is reflective.
Whether feedback comes from within, a peer or the teacher ,learning is facilitated when students get feedback about their thinking. Then, provided the opportunity for revision, students can achieve at higher levels and reach deeper understandings. Technologies that promote communication within and outside the classroom make it easier for feedback, reflection, and revision to occur. The skilful, knowledgeable teacher can facilitate reflection in the dialogue that technology can promote among learners. Where dialogue or discussion is not inherent in the tool, teachers bear the responsibility of initiating and guiding it.
MY PARTING THOUGHTS
Technology by itself does not guarantee learning. Rather, it is in how teachers and students use available technologies that determines whether transformative learning happens. Educators can respond to the challenge or they can explore the power of technology to help learners achieve important outcomes. Understanding principles of learning is a good way to begin.
Lemoy Petit- Hunte
I could not agree with you more. The principles of learning are indeed pertinent aspects to consider as we plan instruction for our students and even for our own professional development. I do not belive that these principles are alien to us but it is necessary to remind ourselves from time to time. These principles if applied in our instruction efforts will undoubtedly have a great impact on what we do and how much our students retain. In fact, these same principles are applicable to our own learning as we have experienced especially in this course. Learning is interactive, social, collaborative, situational and instructors need to be cognizant of these. You are quite right in your assertion, the tools alone are not enough to effect change, we must take resopnsibility as educators. It was enlightening reading your blog.
ReplyDeleteHi Lisha,
ReplyDeleteI appreciated your comments. Let's keep sharing our knowledge and experiences.
Lee