Eh? The next week reading is Ch. 9, not Ch. 8
Sati made great questions, but I wanted to cover Ch. 9 next week, not chapter 8. you can read chapter 8 but we will not have time to cover the chapter in class. Since Sati did much work, I ask Vanessa (I hope you don't mind) to make up few questions for you to ponder this week from chapter 9. There is no paper to turn in to me. Please read chapter 9 for the class discussion. Take this test, so we can add some "spice" to our discussion next week.
http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes1.htm
Great Leanring Community!
I read your entries, and I thank you all for your thoughtful comments on Janelle's question, and I particulary thank Janelle for posing great questions for us to think about and respond to. As I read your entries, the abstract concepts in the textbook came alive as you shared your own experience. Thank you for your insightful and honest attitude toward one another. I am very pleased at how this class is turning out. When I first learned about Blogs, I saw some potential for instruction, but I wasn't sure how I could use it in the course. I thought that some people may not like to blog, so they would not participate. When I saw all of you left comments, this learning community is going to work. You helped me to scaffold the technical aspects of blogging as well as educational use of the blog by posing great questions and comments.
This week's experience made me think that I want to change my teaching strategies. Here are the things I learned: Make this a more learner centered course. My graduate students have much more interesting questions than I can make up. I like to read 10 different examples from 10 different people.
ITEC 800 Question of the Week (11/3/-11/10) - Chapter 7
Vygotsky's learning theory describes a concept called Zone of Proximal Development. Describe your own 'zone of proximal development.' What did you learn that was just out of your reach? What scaffolds were in place to support you? How did your 'community of learning' facilitate your ability to learn the new skill, concept, etc? How will this experience influence how you will instruct others?
Suggestion for the next class
This is response to Mariposa's suggestion:
Case studies and role playing work well when we want to understand theories. Now, you learned concepts and principles of different learnint theories, you need to see abstract concepts applied in concrete situations. So, I woul like to ask you to bring one or two scenario(s) of different instructional situations that you have encountered in the ITEC courses. In your small group discussion, you will analyze the scenarios, so you can see differnt learning /instructional theories at work (or not) in learning situations. Finally, you will enhance that learning situation by applying learning theories that you have learned so far.
You don't have to turn in anything next week. Rread, think, reflect. Have a great week!
Time to start comparing and contrasting in class?
I hear that everyone is getting a general basis of the information, but that a greater attempt in the classroom to integrate the different perspectives would be helpful. I find it rather easy myself to memorize information in chunks, but more difficult to bring together the 'whole' picture. It would be nice one day to sit and really take a few examples and toss around how different learning/teaching theories would apply. Perhaps starting by reviewing the main points of each theory, then picking apart a scenario in a group to hear different theoretical perspectives. I always find group analysis helpful.
Constructivist or not?
Please go to Dr. Dodge's site, and select one of the courses on the list. Evaluate the course in terms of learning theories that are applied in this course.
