“_isms”, as Bill Kerr (2007) refers to them, are researched, well-constructed, tried and proven ways of having succeeded at something. I do believe we need them to pave the way for guiding ideas, theories, and reform efforts to follow. They cause us to think more deeply before sporadically implementing change haphazardly that we are not familiar with. For example, I might adopt a curriculum because it created great learning success for another school in my district with the same population of students, or because it fit easily into our school budget. But if I apply theoretical implications to the application of the new curriculum, that would be a better reason for adopting said program.
Sometimes a useful combination of all of the most popular isms: “constructivism, behaviourism, cognitivism and now a new one, connectivism” (Kerr, 2007) is the best solution. Constructivism is a project-based learning approached that brings real life and meaning to students' work. The accessibility of technology has enhanced the ability to immediately access and interact information with speed. (See below video as kindergarden children embrace a project-based learning atmosphere!)
Kindergarten project-based learning video
Kindergarten project-based learning video
Critical thinking skills are the biggest advantage of free, outside-the-box learning found in cognitive and constructivist learning. See this video explaining cognitive thinking.
References:
Kerr, B. (2007). _isms as filter, not blinker [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2007/01/isms-as-filter-not-blinker.html
The addition of the video is great. You make an excellent point with your statement, "The accessibility of technology has enhanced the ability to immediately access and interact information with speed."
ReplyDeleteTabitha