Educational Technology and the New Teaching Paradigm:
An interesting trend in education and Educational Technology is the shift from the traditional lecture style of teaching to a newer model that emphasizes project-based learning. In this new paradigm the instructor acts as a guide and facilitator; motivating students, challenging them with interesting problems, and guiding them towards an enlightened path. The prepared lecture is dropped and the instructor uses his expertise to enable students to solve problems or to gather and process information. In EDTECH 571 we are currently participating in this new teaching paradigm.
In his article Changing Paradigms, Marc Prensky explains how this new model engages the new generation of students more effectively than the traditional model. Prensky also believes that technology is vital to the success of the new paradigm and that technology will be easily and seamlessly integrated into the new model. Unfortunately the Prensky article is not available online but you can certainly get it through the library.
Prensky, Marc. "Changing Paradigms." Educational Technology: the Magazine for Managers of Change in Education July-August 2007: 64.
http://www.marcprensky.com/
Web 2.0 and Education:
It seems like talk about Web 2.0 and its potential in all levels of education is really heating up. Over the past few years education, library, and higher education journal and magazine articles have been calling for educators to integrate Web 2.0 tools into instruction. At the FETC 2008 conference Chris Dede (professor of Learning Technologies at Harvard) spoke about the future of education, the importance of using Web 2.0 tools in instruction, and establishing a more collaborative teaching paradigm. You can read a report on his speech at: http://www.thejournal.com/articles/21907
Though there is a great call to arms for educators skilled in Web 2.0 applications it seems like there is little direction for most teachers who practice more traditional methods of instruction. Dede acknowledges this point in his speech. If a trend towards a new collaborative, Web 2.0, instruction model is to take root educational institutions need to aggressively establish programs that will assist teachers and administrators in developing courses that foster collaborative learning and Web2.0 tools.
5 comments:
Aaron, I really agree with your comment about the need for establishing programs to assist teachers in learning how to use Web 2.0 tools and collaborative learning. Our school is just moving into the use of technology. Most of the instructors on our campus (out of 60 plus) haven’t even heard of the term web 2.0 let alone using anything that it involves. We still have instructors using what I call “roll and scroll” to teach courses like anatomy. How do you change the teaching style of a whole generation of teachers?
Glori
Aaron, I too am very interested in the move toward project based instruction. I have found the easiest way to ensure that one gets to participate in this new style of learning is to take classes online. I for one don't think I could go back to a "regular" classroom to take courses.
In the school where I teach, it is a growing trend to use project based learning because of the emphasis that is currently placed on student engagement. Of course, I am spoiled because I teach in a computer lab, so developing highly engaging lessons is easier because every student has their own computer, and the resources available are vast--almost to the point of overwhelming. I think the biggest challenge is to make sure that the projects are both authentic and centered on the appropriate objectives and outcomes.
Hi Aaron,
I also think it is fascinating how rapidly the trend is shifting. I can see for the need for greater amounts of training, because students are already so into this short of thing that we need to play catch up! It makes perfect sense to move toward project-based learning, because people learn by doing. The only thing that I worry about is how fast students tune out a real person in the front of the classroom. I do very few things that aren't student-centered in my classroom, but for the two minutes I might be explaining something, I see some of my students that are so used to being plugged in zoning out. I think it is fascinating trying to figure out how to strike a balance. Great posts!
Aaron, I believe that I have always learned more or best when I was working on a project. I can't sit there and listen to someone speak and understand or remember what they are talking about. I am a visual and hands on learner. I love the idea of learning through projects. When I taught science, I would always be giving the students projects or labs to do to get the information across. I am not one to stand and talk and blab on about things. I like to roam around the room and see and ask questions while they are working. Web 2.0 sounds like it is going in the right direction.
I agree with the effectiveness of project based learning. One of the challenges, however, has been bringing the some of the students to a point where they feel responsible for the outcomes of the project. It seems as though many of the kids have never been held completely accountable for their work.
I think that part of our challenge is that our district does social promotion through 8th grade. All that students have to do to advance a grade is have a birthday.
In our district if we are to be successful I believe that we will have to change our approach.
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