Destination 5: Vang Vieng (ETEC 512) - Applications of Learning Theories to Instruction
Moving south from Luang Prabang, I visited the riverside community of Vang Vieng (ວັງວຽງ), Laos. The Buddhist complex pictured above contained hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Buddha statues. It was a very quiet place, and was a calm respite from the busy streets outside. Vang Vieng has become a tourist 'hub' for young backpackers, and attracts those who are interested in 'river tubing', which involves floating down a set of rapids in an inner tube. Like many places in Southeast Asia, there is a beautiful intermingling of quiet, meditative spaces and boisterous celebratory activity.
This course required participants to create online learning spaces, like the Online Learning Conference created below. It provided a space for us to integrate and combine learning theory and teaching & learning practice. We were also asked to write "Thought Papers", where I was given the opportunity to expand on some ways in which theories of learning can be applied in real-world teaching practice.
This course required participants to create online learning spaces, like the Online Learning Conference created below. It provided a space for us to integrate and combine learning theory and teaching & learning practice. We were also asked to write "Thought Papers", where I was given the opportunity to expand on some ways in which theories of learning can be applied in real-world teaching practice.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT: CONFERENCE: ONLINE LEARNING
As a group, we built this site to discuss learning theory from some of the founding theorists on constructivism, as it can be applied to online learning. It is particularly useful for those who wish to bridge the gap between theory and practice, especially as it relates to constructivism and teaching (and learning) in online learning environments. If you would like to visit the section I am most responsible for, please click this link to learn more about how Piaget and Vygotsky might view online learning, if they were alive today.
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READING MATERIAL: KEY REFERENCES for ONLINE LEARNING CONFERENCE
Ally, M. (2004). Foundations of educational theory for online learning. Theory and practice of online learning, 2, 15-44.
Ausburn, L. J. (2004). Course Design Elements Most Valued by Adult Learners in Blended Online Education Environments: An American Perspective. Educational Media International, 41(4), 327–337. retrieved from: http://www.editlib.org/p/97875/
Barbour M. K., and Cooze M. (2004) All for one and one for all: Designing Web-based courses for students based upon individual learning styles. Staff and Educational Development International. 8(2/3). P. 95-108.
Good, R., Mellon, E. K., and Kromhout, R. A. (1978). The work of Jean Piaget. Journal of Chemical Engineering, 55, 688-693.
Keenan, T. and Evans, S. (2009) An Introduction to Child Development. London: Sage.
Piaget, J. (1970). Structuralism. New York: Basic Books.
Vygotsky, L. (1935/1978). Interaction between learning and development. In L. Vygotsky, Mind in society. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Ausburn, L. J. (2004). Course Design Elements Most Valued by Adult Learners in Blended Online Education Environments: An American Perspective. Educational Media International, 41(4), 327–337. retrieved from: http://www.editlib.org/p/97875/
Barbour M. K., and Cooze M. (2004) All for one and one for all: Designing Web-based courses for students based upon individual learning styles. Staff and Educational Development International. 8(2/3). P. 95-108.
Good, R., Mellon, E. K., and Kromhout, R. A. (1978). The work of Jean Piaget. Journal of Chemical Engineering, 55, 688-693.
Keenan, T. and Evans, S. (2009) An Introduction to Child Development. London: Sage.
Piaget, J. (1970). Structuralism. New York: Basic Books.
Vygotsky, L. (1935/1978). Interaction between learning and development. In L. Vygotsky, Mind in society. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
PAPER TRAIL: THOUGHT PAPER - LEARNING AS CONSTRUCTIVE ACTIVITY
READING MATERIAL: KEY REFERENCE for LEARNING as CONSTRUCTIVE ACTIVITY
Von Glasersfeld, E. (2008). Learning as a Constructive Activity. AntiMatters, 2(3), 33-49.
PAPER TRAIL: FINAL PAPER - LESSON PLAN CRITIQUE
I have decided to 'circle back' in my journey, to the Water Systems iBook project - much like I have circled back to Luang Prabang (where we first examined the Water Systems iBook project) to visit Wat Xieng Thong!
For this final paper, we were asked to complete a lesson plan critique. The Science 8 inquiry project has gone through many iterations, and is now being modified to suit the updated curriculum. It is much more open-ended, and students have a broad array of choices related to the new "Big Ideas". However, many of the original project's main elements remain intact; students are just being given much more choice as to the direction of their project. It has been very useful to examine my Water Systems inquiry project through different 'lenses' on my journey, and here I feel I am able to effectively summarize this culminating activity for Science 8 students by writing a critique of how many of the learning theorist's ideas have actually been used in terms of applying theory into practice. |
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READING MATERIAL: KEY REFERENCES for LESSON PLAN CRITIQUE
Anderson, T. (2008). Toward a theory of online learning. In T. Anderson & F. Elloumi (Eds.) Theory and Practice of Online Learning, Chapter 2 (pp. 45-74).
Davidson Films, Inc.. (2010, July 21). Vygotsky's Developmental Theory: An Introduction (Davidson Films, Inc.) [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InzmZtHuZPY
John-Steiner, V. & Mahn, H. (1996). Sociocultural approaches to learning and development: A Vygotskian framework. Educational Psychologist, 31. 191-206.
Von Glasersfeld, E. (2008). Learning as a Constructive Activity. AntiMatters, 2(3), 33-49.
Davidson Films, Inc.. (2010, July 21). Vygotsky's Developmental Theory: An Introduction (Davidson Films, Inc.) [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InzmZtHuZPY
John-Steiner, V. & Mahn, H. (1996). Sociocultural approaches to learning and development: A Vygotskian framework. Educational Psychologist, 31. 191-206.
Von Glasersfeld, E. (2008). Learning as a Constructive Activity. AntiMatters, 2(3), 33-49.