Mindtools and Meaningful Learning
In an interesting article, Computers as Mindtool for Engaging Learners in Critical Thinking, Jonassen suggests that rather than using the power of computer technologies to disseminate information, they should be used in all subject area as tools for engaging learners in reflective, critical thinking about the ideas they are studying. It has taken me some time to fully understand the power of new technologies, (and indeed I will continually keep learning them as they reproduce newer and exciting technologies), however what I find really interesting is the way in which technologies, such as Mindtools, engage learners in new and creative ways they create meaningful learning experiences; something that is getting harder and harder to do with the traditional pen and paper method of teaching!
What I found interesting from this article is the use of information interpretation tools, such as visualization tools. Jonassen suggests that students take in more information through their visual senses, so by providing students with visual stimulus, we are engaging them in learning that has purpose and meaning to them.
In the KLA of PDHPE it can be tricky to teach concpets relating to components of blood, the cardiovasular system and the nervous system. Through the use of visualization tool, such as MacSpartan, these difficulities can be overcome as these tools provide visual representations in which students can rotate, measure and view different points of the concept they are learning ( such as the different elements in blood).
The use of Mindtools represents a constructivist view of technology. Jonassen states that constructivist appraoches to learning strive to create environments where learners activley participate in the environment in ways that are intended to help them construct their own knowledge, rather than having the teacher interpret the world for them. In contrsuctivist environments learners are activly engaged in interpreting the external world and reflecting on their interpretations. Having students construct their own knowledge and reflect on their learning outcomes; is what I aim for as a future teacher and I look forward to implenting these technologies in the classroom.
