ICT as Co-constructive Tool

I could now understand about the co-constructive tool of the ICT which includes the applications supporting knowledge and its construction through collaboration (Users shared understanding). I could also learn about how the tool support learners in making their learning realistic through distributed work among the users where they collaboratively consolidate the shared ideas. The ideas of this tool stimulated me to make reflection on how such collaborative learning approach helps in knowledge construction when emphasized on collaboration and partnership working. I could also analyze on the learning opportunities and the experiences we can provide to the learners through use of collaborative learning tool. I could understand about the coordination and cooperation which are going to happen through interaction process if learners are provided with opportunities to make use of such applications. 

Use of applications for collaborative learning for construction and reconstruction of the knowledge has become popular among the teachers with their students in sharing additional ideas from all the users. I had little knowledge about some applications of the tool. However, the lesson on co-constructive tool could help me in reaching most of the applications such as Google docs, electronic whiteboard, Blogs and wikis and the discussion forums. Similarly it was worth learning when I could get the examples of co-constructive tool and how it supports impulsive information sharing. I also had to reflect on how I make use of the internet. The ideas of the lesson could give me a push in making wise use of internet after understanding about how internet can be widely used for collaborative activities for meetings, discussions, working in document and other tasks. 

Among all those applications of the tool, I could really get the best experience of using Google docs. I could literally experience this application and learn about how we can use its features to support learning through collaboration. I could also sense on how the use of Google docs can support and benefit individuals in learning. The task on lesson planning among the group of friends through use of Google docs was so exciting. The use of Google docs and its features advantaged me with wise and effective use of internet and could also experience the real learning in internet. I was really amazed when I experienced effective sharing through its use which ultimately helped in shaping one another’s ideas to a quality product. The editing of work or document was one interesting moment I could experience. Edition happens effectively when one edits along with the co-editors which benefited in improving the writing of ideas. The Google docs also helped us with space to communicate the problems and we could come up with solutions to the problems identified. Like social media applications, Google docs could help the users through chatting space. The best thing that could interest me about the application is how one can know and keep track of all other participants involved in the task. There is great advantage for the teacher as he/she can see and read one’s working. Through what I experienced in using Google docs, now I can impart the knowledge and ideas on usage of this application to my friends, students and other interested individuals to enhance collaborative learning.

Moreover, the users’ interaction through use of those applications can increase their creativity and support their learning. In general, there are many advantages of using co-constructive tool applications as this tool supports communication between teacher and the learners in sharing and exploring of the ideas. Besides learning, the applications also benefits in building relationship between the users in the process of learning through effective communication. This tool also helps in enhancing collaborative learning environment to support learning. The interactive learning is stimulated among the users through their active involvement where all cognitive processes happen; explanation, problem-finding and problem solving. These are some reasons I can give to others to recommend this ICT tool and its applications.  

Use of Google docs for Collaborative Lesson Planning 

ICT as Constructive Tool

Through the lesson on Construction tool, I could learn about the applications we can address and categorize to applications of construction tool. The ideas of the lesson also helped me understanding about how the tool helps learners to make use of the information in meaningful way. Similarly, I could also understand how the applications of the tool can help one in visualizing their understanding to construct or build knowledge. Moreover, I could draw an idea that the general purpose of the constructive tool is to manipulate information and construct knowledge of understandings based on the prior knowledge of the learners.

The ideas of this tool could help me in to make reflection on what we learned about the constructivism approach in teaching and learning. The lesson on this tool could help me understand about the connection of ICT and its applications to constructivism approach of teaching and learning. As emphasized by the constructivist approach; students’ construct their own understanding considering them as makers of meaningful knowledge, the students are also found generating new ways of understanding in teaching and learning through use of technology. The construction of learners’ knowledge is said to be determined by the experiences and influenced by new events in response to their existing knowledge. Since the construction of knowledge is emphasized through learners’ active participation, the technology is viewed as opportunities for active participation in teaching and learning. These ideas of connection could ultimately help me in retaining what I learned and remember based on my earlier experience in this topic of constructivism approach. 

By now, I can identify various applications that benefit knowledge construction. The constructive tool such as electronic bulletin boards, MS Publishers, multimedia authoring tools, social networking sites like Blogs, Facebook and twitter, and the simulations are some examples that I learned which are also seen to benefit learners’ knowledge construction. For example, the learners can organize and awake their knowledge through the ideas presented using the format of Desktop publishing program. Similarly, the students can easily visualize ideas and the relationships presented through the Concept map. The applications such as Word, Spread sheet and PowerPoint are also seen to help learners in building new knowledge on their prior learning.

The use of constructive tools is great shift towards learners centered pedagogy. Therefore, the constructive tools benefit learners in vast scale. The tool fosters students’ learning since the active participation is encouraged through use of its applications. The technology also triggers learning through exploration, adoption and practice with use of wide range of resources. Not only it benefits learning but also fosters critical thinking to motivate learning. For example, Microsoft Word manages to help students learn correct use of sentences since the word processors include spell checking and the grammars. Such application can really help learners in learning language. These are some of the benefits of ICT’s applications as constructive tool.

                                                Blogs to benefit knowledge construction

Word Processor including grammar checking