Whew! what a week. In reading the required chapter Games and Simulations in Online Learning I reviewed some valuable information about the foundation for interactive or computer based learning. 3-D technologies have formed a basis for learning in the context of a online social environment in which the students share the role of creators and consumers of knowledge and learning. Following a constructivist theory, creating online social environments promotes equalities of communication and interactions, a key factor in learning. Transformation from individual participant to central member of community through apprenticeship and increased participation also plays a key role in supporting the social interactions among the community members. The theoretical rationales underlying this pedagogy is based on social constructivism. In this theory, knowledge is viewed as a human product and learning is a social process, meaningful learning occurs when people are engaged in social activities. The use of 3-D technologies basically turn learning into fun! Although authentic tasks must be developed to engage students, educational goals are achieved through the social web constructed by the community.
I also chose to read Scientific Discovery Learning with Computer Simulations of Conceptual Domains as my second assignment. In this reading the use of simulations is discussed. Simulations are good interventions for the constructivist learner. Following Gesalt theory that a correlation exists between conscious experience and learning, computer simulations are useful tools in the knowledge acquisistion process. The instructional support that is neccessary include: Direct access to fundamental information required to do the simulation or experiment, support in hypothosis generation, desing of experiments, making predictions, support for regulative learning processes such as model progression, planning support, moniterinig support, and structuring the sicovery process. All of these supports are needed to make the discovery process valid.
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Linda, this is a great blog. Learning does occur socially and should be fun instead of gruelling! Equality is key for many of our reserved students who otherwise would not participate, but are more apt if given a way to interact without revealing theirselves. I wonder, though, if other computer generated programs would serve the case just as well? Dr. Jong and Joolingen did not find greater levels of learning, unless the similation was monitored or instrutionally based-I find this very interesting-are we still creatures of habit and need a prodding iron to accomplish tasks (even if those tasks are in 3-D formats)?
ReplyDeleteChap 5 reminds us again about the significance of collaboration. Just like your statement, "knowledge is viewed as a human product and learning is a social process, meaningful learning occurs when people are engaged in social activities." Without doubts, the type of learning styles is changing everyday, especially in this generation. We have so many ways to communicate with others about our thoughts, experiences and knowledge. It's not like what we used to learn in the past (by individuals), it depends on our collaborative work. Wiki encyclopedia is a good example, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteLinda, very good summaries, they reinforced the information that we need to keep in mind the need for guidance and support through the use of either 3-D environment or online learning classes. This support can be from the instructor, such as in the case of the Scientific Discovery Learning article, or from instructor and experienced peers in other settings. A good lesson: plan the learning activity to include adequate scaffolding and background information to assure the possibility of success of the student.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Linda. You really brought out the point that instruction requires a lot more than just designing the course in this situation. Listing all of the required support was very eye opening. Thanks, Tomi
ReplyDeleteIn reading posts I keep going back to how these educational strategies could be used in nursing education. Then while working on my nursing ed. project I ran across these two articles. Ohio State University College of Nursing has constructed a virtual community called Mirror Lake. This community contains Mirror Lake Medical Center a virtual hospital.The hospital contains a fully automated electronic medical record and other technologies to enhance the student's abiltiy to learn in new and contemporary ways (Curran et al, 2009). Also featured in the Journal of Nursing Education February 09 issue was an article about using constructivist strategies in nursing education. These articles brought full circle this weeks discussion. We have all been able to verbalize the stratagies for 3-D learning and the constructivist theory based in de Jong's article, to visualize them in practice in our individual areas of expertise was a piece of the puzzle I had yet to grasp. As we have a good number of nursing ed. majors in this class I wanted to point out these articles.
ReplyDeleteBuilding a Virtual Community for Nursing Education: The Town of Mirror Lake. Journal of Nursing Education, January 2009
Constructivist Strategies in Online Distance Education in Nursing. Journal of Nursing Education, February 2009