Video retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1m2gmkVzxc
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Constructivism
Mears (2010) mentioned that the “Constructivist learning theory states that learning is more of the responsibility of the learner and places the learner in a more active role in setting goals and objectives as well as in the selection of learning materials. With the technology and information explosion, learners are faced with many learning options and many materials to use in the learning process. The newer technologies are quite conducive to the theories of constructivism”. The creation of different tools to fit each learning style will give the student the opportunity to create a project using his favorite style, a student can create a presentation using his voice Voicethread.com or can use Animoto.com to create a video or Prezi for a presentation, or the teacher can use a blog for students to comment on a post, or many other examples where students are giving the opportunity to use a web based tool.
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Project based learning
The video Project Based Learning created by Edutopia, mentions that “Project-based learning hails from a tradition of pedagogy which asserts that students learn best by experiencing and solving real-world problems. According to researchers project-based learning essentially involves the following:
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Video retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnzCGNnU_WM
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Two methods that support the creation of real world problem solving situations that will make students use their thinking skills and their learning of content using technology are Problem based learning guided through questions and tasks, and project based learning through tasks that includes a project to give evidence of content mastery.
Image retrieved from weebly.com
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The Probe method
A constructivist instruction strategy created by Dr. Shepherd (2010) is the Probe Method; this method fosters problem solving and self-directed learning, it could be used in any subject or any grade level. It is based on the research of a topic or question using different technology tools to deliver the results. He mentions that an “initial introduction of a unit is where the teacher grabs the attention of the students and gets them hooked. This stage is vital because without student interest in a topic or problem it may become an issue during the unit. There are a number of activities a teacher could use to get students interested in a topic”. (Shepherd, 2010). This is a valuable strategy for teachers to engage students prior to the lesson. An example is a sneak peek video or the unit or a scavenger hunt with clues about the unit using QR codes.
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the flipped classroom
The flipped classroom is an approach to integrate digital content (videos) as part of an instructional tool. Driven by changes already happening in education and the need to prepare students for the 21st century workplace; the flip classroom provides schools with a variety of ways to address student needs, differentiate instruction, and provide teachers with tools accessible from home. According to Bill Tucker in education next, the flip classroom came from an idea of creating teacher videos for absent students then the idea became popular to the extent that Bergmann and Sams created the flip classroom “the core idea is to flip the common instructional approach: With teacher-created videos and interactive lessons, instruction that used to occur in class is now accessed at home, in advance of class. Class becomes the place to work through problems, advance concepts, and engage in collaborative learning” (Tucker, 2012).
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References
Edutopia. Project Based Learning video. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/project-based-learning
Mears, R. (2010). The Overlap of Constructivism and Critical Media Literacy: The Cognitive Processes of Learning with Technology. In Proceedings of World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications 2010 (pp. 1384-1388). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.
Shepherd, G. (2010). The Probe Method: A Constructivist Instructional Strategy. Meridian: A Middle School Computer Technologies Journal Volume 13, Issue 1, 2010. Retrieved from http://www.ncsu.edu/meridian/winter2010/shepherd/02.htm
Tucker, B. (2012) The Flipped Classroom. Education Next, 12 (1). Retrieved from http://educationnext.org/the-flipped-classroom/