ETEC 530 - Constructivist Strategies for E-Learning
Constructing Knowledge:
In ETEC 530 we discussed the topic of constructivism, and how this learning theory can be implemented into an online environment. For me this course expanded upon the theory of constructivism, which I had originally learned about in ETEC 512. Through the various weeks the course modeled different methods of constructivist learning in an online environment. This allowed me to have a much better understanding of how to use similar techniques in my online classes. An example of this would be concept maps, which I believe is an excellent way for students to make a visual representation of their knowledge. In addition by allowing me to experience the different constructivist learning techniques, as I completed assignments every week, this provided me with a personal perspective on their effectiveness.
Learning these new techniques of teaching was important to me as I teach at a center that offers personalized learning in an online environment. As a result of this course I now use techniques like web quests and concept maps as a regular part of my online courses. ETEC 530 was a very practical course that taught me many new skills, and it will have a great impact on my classroom now and into the future. It is for this reason that this course is in the wind wave category of my ePortfolio. The knowledge and energy that I have gained from this course is causing a reshaping of my teaching in my classroom just as the wind wave reshapes the shoreline.
In ETEC 530 we discussed the topic of constructivism, and how this learning theory can be implemented into an online environment. For me this course expanded upon the theory of constructivism, which I had originally learned about in ETEC 512. Through the various weeks the course modeled different methods of constructivist learning in an online environment. This allowed me to have a much better understanding of how to use similar techniques in my online classes. An example of this would be concept maps, which I believe is an excellent way for students to make a visual representation of their knowledge. In addition by allowing me to experience the different constructivist learning techniques, as I completed assignments every week, this provided me with a personal perspective on their effectiveness.
Learning these new techniques of teaching was important to me as I teach at a center that offers personalized learning in an online environment. As a result of this course I now use techniques like web quests and concept maps as a regular part of my online courses. ETEC 530 was a very practical course that taught me many new skills, and it will have a great impact on my classroom now and into the future. It is for this reason that this course is in the wind wave category of my ePortfolio. The knowledge and energy that I have gained from this course is causing a reshaping of my teaching in my classroom just as the wind wave reshapes the shoreline.
Reflection: Constructivist Lesson Plan:
This assignment had me creating an online lesson plan where I incorporated constructivist principles into an Entrepreneurship course. Through this process I learned how to use video games in an online environment, and how to assess this type of learning in a way that helps students construct their own knowledge while ensuring that students learn the expected curriculum.
The following quote demonstrates my understanding of the course material and my rationale for implementing a video game called Capitalism Lab into my Entrepreneurship course.
"The interactive nature of the game means that students must continuously make predictions, observe results, and if their prediction proves falsesearch for an appropriate reason why (POE). It is this dissatisfaction with the consequences that will encourage the student to ultimately seek new understanding (CCM)." (Grzeskowiak, 2014, p.3)
The following quote demonstrates my understanding of the course material and my rationale for implementing a video game called Capitalism Lab into my Entrepreneurship course.
"The interactive nature of the game means that students must continuously make predictions, observe results, and if their prediction proves falsesearch for an appropriate reason why (POE). It is this dissatisfaction with the consequences that will encourage the student to ultimately seek new understanding (CCM)." (Grzeskowiak, 2014, p.3)
Like the wind's energy creating this lesson plan as well as ETEC 530 instilled in me many news ideas, and approaches to how I conduct my courses in my classroom. One of my favorite quotes from this course is by Vygotsky, as listed below, which reminds me of how I as a teacher I need to be aware of a child's development and what they are capable of learning. However in the same sense you need to know what the students are capable of so that that can be appropriately challenged. The concept of the zone of proximal development, as well as scaffolding are key concept that I have integrated into all of my courses.
"Pedagogy must be oriented not to the yesterday, but to the tomorrow of the child's development. Only then can it call to life in the process of education those processes of development which now lie in the zone of proximal development." (Vygotsky, 1993, p. 251-252).
As a result of the knowledge that I have gained while completing this assignment, I have started to include video games in other subjects. I have also taught other teachers how to use video games in a constructivist manner in their classrooms which some of them have actually applied. This course and this assignment has been a very useful experience that has made a real impact on my teaching.
Artefact: Lesson Plan: Capitalism Lab
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Reflection: Concept Map of Constructivism:
When I saw that I needed to make a concept map for this course, I was at first very hesitant. However, by the end of the course I realized that through the process of constructing this concept map it allowed me to have a deeper understanding of the course material. In addition the ability to see fellow students concept maps allowed me to view the same material from a different viewpoint. Overall I thought this was a useful assignment, and a great way of taking what I have learned and turning it into a visual representation of my knowledge.
Artefact: Concept Map of Constructivism:
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