z
Chinese
proverb says…..
Tell me, I
forget,
Show me, I
remember, Involve me,
I understand.
Learning
is passive until the students are engaged.
Involvement revolves around understanding. Understanding develops only when curiosity is
present and curiosity builds on questioning.
Questioning is one of the many
ways of reflection the learned.
Technology provides us with multiple options in this
area. What to choose when is a big question. IT giants like Microsoft, Google and Apple have made multitude of investment
in this area. Other than them the Learning management software’s from Moodle’s,
Pearson, and Blackboard etc., are also competitive enough in the field of
reflection process. The option of
choosing the right type of thought process of reflection lies in the hands of
the academicians. Some tips for such
process can be as follows
- Immediate reflection: Hard core, confusing, process and procedure based requires immediate reflection. This can be handled by classroom response systems. They give an immediate understanding about the learners learning level.
- Understand and reflect: Picture based, life processes and graphical basis can be emphasized using this method. Learning management systems will help in inserting this aspect towards learning.
- Delayed Reflection: Learning management systems also provide option for learners to read and attempt the questions. The learner reading is tracked through the pages they have visited to allow answering and re-attempts for ESL based comprehensions or listening activities
- Reflect and Comment: Socio-economic or political cartoons or data reviews need keen eye. Developing such critical skills can be done using platforms like Moodles, google classrooms etc.,
- Brainstorm: The clash of ideas to evolve new thinking or to create a win-win situation is a must 21st century skill. The research involved to submit arguments with valid proof is what technology is all about for brainstorming.
- Collaborate: Discussions are key part of learning. Online learning platforms like Edx and Future learn provide lot of scope for discussions in the learning platforms. International school collaborations through Skype, Duo, Whatsapp video call are all some of the platforms which can be used for collaboration with technology.
- Research: ‘Do not know the meaning? – Google it!’ The tag line for finding the unknown has shifted from dictionaries and encyclopedias to Google. Google has become an important part of learning. Information is vast and authenticity for such information is provided under another branch of Google – Google Scholar.
- Social media reflection: Social media like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest are some sites which allow learners to share information and reflect on their learning. Portfolios and blogs when attached to social media provides good learning opportunity for the viewers as well as themselves.
- Extensions: Learning is not a one-time opportunity but it is a life time opportunity. Learning does not stop with the graduation or certification, it continues. Enabling this feature are the technologies innovations like Webinars, and Video conferences. The panel discussions or virtual conferences and presentations each carry multitude of information and learning opportunity for the viewers.
Technology is widening its scope into the
education sector
with the introduction of –Online games, 3D printing and ‘AI’. Our schools widely need to focus on building
a very broad and open minded, culturally aware citizen. The ‘art of right thinking’ can be
highlighted only through reflection.
Developing the thought process on the lines of positive outcome is what
reflection is all about. With limited
time, schools and teachers need to sort the best method of reflecting the
learnt. Ultimately, it is not the ‘what’
that is important, it is the how’s
and the why’s of learning that is
tested with time.
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