Thinking about Meaning
MeaningfulMa. Sonia Caldern Cruz
Do you ever wonder whether your students care about your course
material? Do you question whether your students appreciate how the
information you address in class is relevant to them? Do you feel
like there is often a mismatch between your intentions for your
class and what your students actually want to learn?How can we
teach them in order to encourage their interest?Students are more
likely to pay attention and be excited about your course when they
view the class as relevant to themselves and connected to their
interests.
What is learning?LearningKnowles defines learning as the process
of gaining knowledge or expertise.(Knowles, 1998, p. 17) another
definition of learning by E. A. Haggard states that learning is a
change in behavior as a result of experience. (Haggard, 1963, p.
20.)Meaningful learningMeaningful learning refers to the concept
that the learned knowledge is fully understood by the individual
and that the individual knows how that specific fact relates to
other stored facts stored inyour brain. (ausebel)The construction
and reconstruction of meanings by learners requires that they
actively seek to integrate new knowledge with knowledge already in
their cognitive structure.Meaningful learning, in short, is
learning that makes a difference in ones mind and in ones life.
Learning process
Meaningful LearningRequires learners who are activeActively
engaged by a meaningful taskTasks which they can manipulate objects
and parameters of the environment they work inObserve the results
of their manipulations.
Characteristics of Meaningful
Learning.SynergeticInterrelatedInteractiveInterdependentIf One or
more of these present meaningful learning will most likely
occur.
Active Learning Known as manipulative or observantPromotes
thinkingLearning is natural actively manipulating objects and
observing what they have done.
Constructive LearningArticulate/reflective learningEncourage
reflection on learning by childrenActivity is necessary but not
sufficient for learning.Integrate new experiences with prior
knowledgeEstablish learning goals
Intentional LearningGoal directed/RegulatoryUser knows the
endThink and learn more by fulfilling their goal.Using computers
for planning everyday tasks learning meaningfully.
Authentic LearningComplex/contextualRealistic for
childrenRelevant / real lifeRelate ideas to real-world
contextsSimulations or problem-based learningTransferred to new
situationsCreate an authentic experience
Cooperative LearningCollaborative/ConversationalEngagedGroup
work/small groupsNaturally work togetherSeek out others for
helpConnect learners in same classroom, across town or around the
world.
Its all about the thinking!Students learn from thinkingThinking
about what they are doingThinking about what they believeThinking
about what others have done and believeJust thinking and
reasoningLEARNING RESULTS FROM THINKING!
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How does Technology Facilitate meaningful Learning?Use the
computer to represent what they know, not what the teachers or
textbooks tell them!Provides rich and flexible media for
learning.Think that technologies are learning tools that students
learn with, not from
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TECHNOLOGY ENGAGING LEARNERSMeaningful learning will result when
technologies engage learners by:Knowledge construction, not
reproductionConversation, not receptionArticulation, not
repetitionCollaboration, not competitionReflection, not
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