I found the engagement activities in the first week very interesting, my beliefs and understandings of the nature of today's learners are developing as I myself learn more through the readings in this course. I enjoyed reading Prensky's views on digital natives versus digital immigrants. I do see children today using ICT in lots of situations, my own children love programs such as reading eggs, mathletics and intrepica, which were all introduced as learning tools in school. There was a divide amongst parents regarding their use as some parents felt that children at the age of 5-7 years should be learning through active play, socialising with peers and not spending 1 or more hours on the computer each day after school. There may be resistance from parents regarding the use of ICT for homework, and not all children participated in the computer homework set. There were limitations within the school setting regarding the use of computers to make use of the numeracy and literacy programs. Practicalities were:
- shared use of the only one computer room for the whole school
- helping all 25 children log into the system took time
- at least 5 helpers were needed when a group of 25 children were all attempting the same task whilst they learnt the program and time was restricted.
Obviously this was only one school as an example and many others may be set up differently.
I feel we need to keep in perspective that today's learners cannot learn all through ICT, it may be useful as a tool to motivate children to carry out other necessary tasks at school. There has been no mention in any of the learning theories if there any differences between males and females with regards to the embracing of ICT.
I feel each of the learning theories have some very valid points. Within the behaviourism theory, positive reinforcement and praise for certain behaviours are seen to be effective however restricted in the area for tasks that require skills in problem solving, it does not encourage deeper learning or understanding. The readings on cognitive theories of learning make sense with regards to the stages of development of children and how they move from one stage to the next around a certain time in their lives, however important to note that not all children in the same age group will develop at the same rate. I enjoyed the video breaks and exploring the use and construction of Mind Maps. I have attempted to use the Mind Map tool to compete some work for PCT, see the link below
https://bubbl.us/?h=dd030/1a599d/903H2TRnsD9nE
The theory of how we construct knowledge from our own experiences is an interesting view on how we learn. The basic principles of the constructivism theory being:
- learning is a search for meaning
-the construction of meaning requires an understanding of the whole as well as the parts
- we learn through the application of knowledge
- we learn from one another and not only in isolation
These principles will apply when planning and preparing lessons they lead to learning activities that are based around problem solving, discovery and construction of meaning. It was important to see the links to ICT within this theory of learning such as the use of forums, blogs, wiki, webconferencing. Use of the word 'Scaffolding
George Siemens learning theory for the digital age has valid points, I agree that it is not possible to know everything and how to source information to gain knowledge has changed how we live today. ICT has made it so much easier and faster to gain information, however we cannot forget that will need to know how to use this knowledge in everyday life. I believe the following statement Siemens makes is very true and one of the very reasons why we need to embrace ICT in our teaching, "how people work and function is altered when new tools are utilised. The field of education has been slow to recognise both the impact of new learning tools and the environmental changes in what it means to learn.
I feel the digital age theory has developed because previous learning theories do not account for new changes in our environment. It is more common for people to move into different work roles, my own father has never moved company. I did not know that technology is altering our brains so we need to go with what works for our brain (computers and mobiles, MP3, iPod and iPads are now our tools and what we are becoming more accustomed (if we are digital immigrants)).
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