The information provided on the ways that the internet can be used as part of classroom instruction were informative but I was left hungry for more details. Less "polite etiquette" speech and more about how, benefits, etc.
The 4 programs are similar in that they all work towards helping students utilize the web for research, as a facilitator of content knowledge, and it is important that these techniques also focus on students developing good / appropriate usage of the internet to acquire knowledge.
The programs also focus on collaboration and sharing data with a broad group of peers. As noted many times, we are global, we need to understand global societies so that the students will be prepared to contribute successfully in work and communities.
Although based on similar tenants, the Internet Inquiry project is a more self directed activity. Collaboration does occur but only after the student has pondered, puzzled and found the information for which he was searching. The student picks the topic important to them and then continues the share, question, compose and search process.
There are also differences in that the Workshop and Project programs are all initially directed to a site designed or designated by the teacher.
Of course, all of the methodologies focus on content knowledge that can be additive or a part of the lesson plan on the topic at hand.
I am interested in finding some real life examples, key learnings that can help pre service teachers and give me a head start on the classroom next fall.
To that end, I did reach out to my cooperating teacher with the goal of getting specific needs, interests and subject matter for internet based instruction. Have not yet heard back from her but I should have an update next week. Stay tuned.
You mention real life examples...
ReplyDeleteWell, what is one way you could see yourself implementing a Workshop or Inquiry in your classroom?
As part of the requirements each week - you need to identify at least one way in which you could integrate a concept/tool/application in your future classroom.
Also - make sure you include at least one APA citation and reference in each post.
There are many ways that Internet workshops and modified inquiry projects could be very helpful for children with special needs. For example, one of the students is having difficulty comprehending the information with which she is presented. The teacher could set up a modified Internet space that would include 4 -5 websites that directly relate to the student’s topic and learning objectives.
ReplyDeleteThe student would then pick the source with which she is most comfortable and the teacher provides study guides, aids to assist h/her with the goal of reading comprehension (Bloom’s taxonomy level 2).
One of the main tenants of the constructivist theory of learning is that students need to be instructed in a way and at a level at which they can learn. Jean Piaget, the theorist most tied to the Developmental Cognitive Learning theory,” believes that children advance through 4 stages of learning and no matter how profound the teacher, a child at stage 2 will never understand the concept presented in a way consistent with level 3” (Tuovenin, J. , Sweller, J. 1999).
Piaget’s philosophy of providing information in a way that is comprehensible to the child is one of the most important tenants of learning and teaching children with special needs.
Reference:
Tuovenin, J. E., & Sweller, J. (1999). A comparison of cognitive load associated with discovery learning and worked examples. Journal of Educational Psychology , 91, 334-341.