What do you think makes constructivism a more favorable theory for users of resources?

Constructivism is a conception of learning that is contrasted with objectivist notions oflearning. An objectivist conception of learning assumes that knowledge can be transferred as is from the teacher or technology to the learner. The constructivist perspective, however, is that knowledge is subjective and interpretative, and must be constructed by an individual (Jonassen, 1998). Constructivist learning environments are designed to facilitate a learner’s construction of new knowledge. Constructivist techniques are often counter-intuitive and can sometimes even turn a traditional notion of designing instruction on its head. For example, in certain cases learning gains are greater when students explore a complex, open-ended learning environment like a simulation or case library before getting a traditional lecture about the principles one wants students to learn from such an environment, rather than the other way around (Brant, Hooper, & Surge, 1991; Schwartz& Bransford, 1998).

The skill and knowledge that I have acquired is personal development (life skillls). The training has developed me rather than merely focused on a specific qualification or skill. I am going to use what I have acqiured from this training in my classroom situation. I am going to impart the knowledge that I have acqiured to my learners and my colleagues at work. I am so glad I did the course at the right time. I am now have a functional computer lab T school and I have started to use it already. What I have learnt from the tarining also is to identify the the onjectives needed to be achieved by the programme and also to achieve the objectives of the learners, the skills and activities need to be taught - generate a list of skill that learners need to learn. I can conduct all these withou the fear I tsrted the course with. The training is more friutful and more beneficial to me.

Renah Vuma: How do I find Synchronous chat session that I took...

Renah Vuma: How do I find Synchronous chat session that I took...: After participating in synchronous chat session I it very interesting because it was happening at the same time even though we were at diff...

How do I find Synchronous chat session that I took part in

After participating in synchronous chat session I it very interesting because it was happening at the same time even though we were at different places. We were exchanging communication and responded to one another successfully. During our communication, we manage to follow the instructions that were posted to us in forum before we started with the chat session. The was no one who brought irrelevant issues because the instructor was also online to monitor the session. I find participating in chat session very good and interesting to learners because it will make them to prepare in advance before they can login or participate in the session. I find synchronising better than face-to-face because learners don't need to come to class. They can take part where ever they are. Again in face-to-face session, learners are easily destructed, they focus on other things. In synchronous chat session they need to concentrate as they are expected to respond is either to the instructions or questions and to respond or comment to other learners appropriately. I find synchronising making learners to feel free at all the time.

My experience with Podcast

Podcasting is an online content that is delivered via an RSS feed. It consists the use of audio over the internet. This is the same as IPOD and broadcasting which can be done with any MP3 player. Podcasting is an educational activity and a resource to be used in online teaching and learning This is interesting because as a teacher I can use podcasting to enhance the lesson that has already been delivered. Learners can carry the lesson with them where ever they go as long as they are connected or online. This will also increase their listening skills. Lesson and strategies can be recorded by podcasting into IPOD and listen back. This is very good more special to the learners who need extra help in certain contexts. Through the experience that I have received, I am going to use podcasting to introduce my lesson and also at the end of the lesson. This is interesting because learners can determine the time and place and decide what programming they want to receive and when they want to listen to it. They can retain audio archives to listen at their leisure.

How are informal institutional learning institution are able to teach effectively without the knowledge of learning theories

Before the child goes to school, more learning which is informal takes place at home. This is a fundamental, necessary and valuable on its own as it involves the acquisition of knowledge required by a child. More basic learning needs to be done at home and everywhere knowledge can be deployed to solve problems and add value to people's lives. for an example, the mother can teaches a child how to cook pap. the mother is going to make sure that she gives the child all the support that is needed. The mother is going to take the child through the steps that are need until the child knows how to cook the pap without the mothers support. By doing this she wants to make sure that the child is cooking pap the right way. Even though they don't know that learning theories exists, most of the parents use the theory more specially the theory of behaviourism unaware. The type of a learning that a child receives at home is informal because it is not structured at all and sometimes incidental. Informal learning whether in the society, home or learning institutions involves learning through participation in the life of a group or association. Teachers in informal societal learning institutions see this kind of learning useful and more helpful as it takes place outside a dedicated learning environment and which arises from activities and interests of individual and groups. Learners from informal societal learning institutions also learn from their interaction and participation with one another in fluid relationships that are the results of share interest and opportunity. Even though the teachers do not have the knowledge of these learning theories they are applying them without knowing it. They make learners to learn by repeating and repeating till learners master what is expected from them. This is also related to the learning theory of the behaviourists.

What makes constructivism more favourable theories for users of resources

Constructivism refers to the idea that learners construct knowledge for themselves. Each learner individually and socially construct meaning as he or she learns. Learners construct knowledge through learning. There is a Chinese proverb that say "Tell me and I will forget, Show me and I will remember, Involve me and I will understand. This shows that when learners are involved in their learning and construct their own knowledge, they will understand the context. Constructivism is more favourable because it explains how knowledge is constructed in the human being when this information is come in to contact with the existing knowledge that had been developed by experiences. They like it because it is limiting their role as teachers in the classroom. Their role is promoted as facilitator who cultivates interactive social environment that allow learners to personalise, exchange, collaborate, and construct heir own knowledge rather than record the knowledge. Learners are view as the constructors of knowledge that suits them. They believe that new learning depends on current understanding and facilitates effective learning for all students. Teachers allow students to play and experiment with ideas, to create, reflect and work out their own understanding. Teachers give learners opportunity to demonstrate understanding through concrete examples. Learners are seen working more than their teachers. Teachers have less work to do that is why they like this learning theory

Good day classmates.

 I want to tell you that I have watched a couple of videos explaining some of the concepts involved within the learning theories.  I find this use of multimedia VERY helpful because it has made me to understand the learning concepts better. The video that I have watched, the learning theory of Behaviourism, cognitivism and constructivism were best explained. I have learnt that in learning theory of Behaviourism, learning happens as a result of stimulus. Learners obtain a new or changed behaviour. Rewards and punishments are supposed to be used in order to reinforce the behaviour. I behaviourism, teachers need to foster repetitive knowledge 

 I n the learning theory of constructivism, learning occurs when information is moved to long-term memory while learners are involved in the process of creating their own knowledge based on experience. In this learning theory, teachers are models, they guide and facilitate learning. The video also shown the principles of constructivism which are Readiness, Spiral organisation abd Going beyond the information given.

In the learning theory of Cognitivism, learning happens when as a result of brain processes. Knowledge is transferred from short term-memory to long term memory. The teacher is the attention,-getter organiser connector and repeater so that learners can properly store the information in memory for later recall. I think now I cleary understand the concept of these learning theories even though Cognitivisim and Constructivism are almost the same.

ABOUT THE COURSE - ONLINE TEACHING AND LEARNING

Hi! I find accessing the course of the Online environment very accessible because I am to access it everywhere and at any time as long as I m connected to the social network. I say this because I am able to access the learning materials in or outside the classroom in the absence of the lecturer. It gives me more time to be with my family and attend to their needs. I saw possibilities on my teaching because there is a computer lab at my school that is not functional. I am going to use this opportunity to make it functional and valuable to the learners, the school and the community of Yeoville as a whole.

ABOUT MYSELF

Hi friends! My name is Renah Vuma. I stay in Dobsonville EXT 3 in Soweto. I stay with my husband and my children. I am a teacher at Yeoville Community School. I have trained to be a teacher at at Westminister College of Education as a Foundation Phase teacher but when I did my ACE at UNISA,I decided to train as a senior phase teacher. I taught foundation phase for six years. I moved to Intermediate Phase in 1999. I am a part time student at Wits. I am studying in order for me to be well and more educated, and to be a valuable participant in our quick changing community. I UNDERSTAND THAT I NEED MORE TRAINING/EDUCATION TO PREPARE MYSELF FOR THE EXISTING AND CHALLENGING FUTURE DISCIPLINES AND FUTURE POSSIBILITIES.