Constructivism to me is a form of social learning. George Siemens discusses how knowledge is networked through connectivism, Laureate Education, (2009). Connectivism can offer abundant amount of information because it can be influence by culture, community and a number of social networked channels. Learning has changed over the last several decades. Kids are different too. We live in a society that is technology driven. Constructivism takes advantage of the technology tools available and uses it to network learning. Students now can learn socially through distance learning, internet, and cable tv. They can share and learn information more rapidly because of the technology tools used today. Students through constructivism can work together to research and build a project and don’t even have to be in the same time zone.
The virtual software and online tools that students can practice with are so realistic. My own kids at home about six years ago work together to build a virtual theme park using regular game software called Roller Coaster Tycoon 3. They were helping each other decide realistic situation, like if a popcorn stand should go there, hiring and firing employees, raising ticket prices and where to put the next ride attraction. Your decision would affect you value and the theme park popularity. I did not force my kids to play this game, and they were learning how to become a CEO of a theme park. To me the game looked complicated, but they helped each other master being tycoons, and they were having fun learning. I really don’t see a reason why more games like this one can’t be used in the classroom. More sophisticated Virtual technology like that could be explored in other fields like politics, transportation, journalism, etc. My daughter mentioned to me that there is very realistic hospital game called, Theme Hospital. There are scores of great computer simulation available on the Web like at National Library of Virtual Manipulative, Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Any program that can connect education to the real world should welcomed. Connectivism has the right idea, network learning through social means, with technology enhancements.
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Students can definitely learn rapidly from technology.They can use the technology to share and learn about other countries. For example, if they are creating a project they can join a blog to chat on-line with students from that country and see what life is like first hand. That is an amazing tool to have access to at school or at home.
ReplyDeleteI like that game that you children were playing. Once they have created a town or roller coaster can it be changed or is the game over?
Rodney,
ReplyDeleteComputer software is a great way for students to bring real life experiences to the classroom. Students learn best when they can relate to what they know. Through technology and the use of blogs and social networks, students are free to express their own thoughts and concerns. Some students do not like to speak in class but with social networking and projects using technology, those students are able to express themselves without speaking in front of the class. There are many different ways technology can reach all learning styles students have.
Kimberly, the game never ends. It is so life like, if you walk away from the game for an hour, it's like a Steve Jobs walking away from Apple for a month. You have to keep managing it or the business will defunct.
ReplyDeleteMichael, you make a good point about reaching the different learning styles with technology. I teach special ed students, and many of them hate speaking in live in front of an audience.