“since the constructivist group of theories places less emphasis on the sequence of instruction and more emphasis on the design of the learning environment. (Jonassen, 1994. p 35). In a web-based environment this proves to be even more challenging.”
Does it have to be more challenging? Why in education do we always try to “reinvent the wheel?” We use research to support and create theories but why is it that experience, even if it is from a face-to-face environment, applied to the online learning environment? I think sometimes we make things more difficult then they need to be in education.
“Many web-based subjects have not utilised the full capability of this technology, a trend in
education that is not unfamiliar.”
This is an interesting statement. Education tends to lag behind those of other professions. There are many reasons such as reluctant to change, funding, misunderstandings. Education and funds would seem to be a start to ending this trend.
“Seels and Glasgow (1990, p3) described the process as “defining what is
to be learned, planning an intervention that will allow the learning to occur, and refining the
instruction until the objectives are met”.”
Objectives are an interesting topic when considering the constructivist approach, especially considering online teaching. One struggles between the objectives and allowing students to construct their own knowledge. What an oxymoron – You have to learn this but yet you can explore to learn what you want. Often I notice in education that it has to be one way or the other. Meaning that we either follow the standards and teach using the behavioralist approach or we should use the constructivist approach in its purest form. I believe as an online educator that both theories play a role and should be considered when creating, designing, and teaching a lesson.
Conclusion…
“more attention was given to the learning process and a greater degree of autonomy and initiative was given to the learner…” It was interesting as I was thinking about how to structure a web course around the constructivist theory I came to realize that this class is using some of the constructivist principles such as a “great degree of autonomy and initiative” for learning. I think that is why we struggle a little with the idea of blogging. It is new for some of us and it centers around the idea of the constructivist approach. Allowing each of us to have an individual blog also promotes “…learning environments can be tailored to…” each of us as individual learners.” The blogs and discussions also emphasize that, “…constructivist learning environment [is] ‘a place where learners may work together and support each other as they use a variety of tools and information resources in their guided pursuit of learning goals and problem-solving activities’ (Wilson 1996 p 5).”
