Week 1 Wrap Up
Please record your reflections in the comment section of this post.
Interdisciplinary Instruction and AfL
Deadline: Monday, 3rd Feb, 2020 1. Interdisciplinary Instruction The following exemplar video clip from an art class that shows how interdisciplinary instruction can be implemented productively in a classroom. Analyze the video and respond to the following questions: a) What skills are being developed in the art class? b) What potential theories were used in creating this instruction method?, c) How does the teacher benefit from interdisciplinary approach to instruction? d) What changes would we, the teachers, need to make in our views, attitudes and culture so as to adopt such an interdisciplinary approach in our professional practice? Share your views and ideas in the comment section. -------------------------------------- 2. Assessment for Learning (AfL) The following link will guide you to the article on Assessment for Learning by Cambridge. Go through this article and respond to the prompt that follows. Limit your response...
The following are my learnings from week 1:
ReplyDelete1. The most commonly adopted theory of learning styles is a myth. It is has gained popularity as it categorizes individuals as per their learning preference: visual, auditory etc. which makes each one “unique”. However, there aren’t any evidences to support these styles. These styles are loosely based on the concept of metacognition which involves various approaches to knowledge however unlike learning styles, it does not recommend any sole approach.
2. Meaningful learning V/S purposeful learning. Meaningful learning is based on the past experiences and prior knowledge (experience + theory) which help to form new connections whereas purposeful learning implies an intention to learn, to acquire some new knowledge for future utility.
3. Resistance is the first reaction to change. Integrating changes in the existing, already formed connections (schema), requires changes in the cognitive structures. In order to accept change which is nothing but learning requires motivation or willingness and to able to make connections or sense to the situations.
4. Social Learning Theory (1960) by Albert Bandura sheds light on how children observe and imitate the actions and reactions modelled by adults particularly of the same sex. This is termed as “Learning by Observing”.
5. John Dewey presented his views on experiential learning where an individual learns by reflecting on his personal experiences.
Classroom Practice:
1. After having understood the myth of learning styles, I would like to emphasize on the content learned through different approaches rather than learner’s preferences.
2. Activating prior knowledge in order to gauge the learner’s attention at the start of the class and to build on the existing knowledge to fill in the gaps is an essential learning. Enquiry or critical questioning would help to peel the onion in other words this method can be useful to get to the core of the content.
3. Activities like CSI: Color, Symbol and Image can be utilized to understand the different perspectives and perceptions of the learners. These activities also require reflection which can lead to learnings. Similarly the activity give one, take one can be deployed to summarize the content learned.
4. It is significant for the learners to experience and discover connections in order to learn. Hence, the strategies must be intended to create situations to give experiences and to train the learners for reflective thinking.