I feel that "self-directed and collaborative learning" is a goal that cannot be attained in most classes.
a) Most students at the lower secondary or even upper secondary level are not cognitively ready to take ownership of their own learning and are passive learners.
b) Open-ended group work is next to impossible because of intragroup conflict which arises because some (if not most) will find chances to escape duties and others are doing most of the work. With multiple groups in the class, the teacher is unable to manage intragroup dynamics of every individual group. Punishment can be used, but groups cannot be forced to work more effectively together.
Furthermore, I cannot see how ICT can be used to mitigate these problems, especially the problem in (b).
The video espouses the use of e-learning programmes to help the child take responsibility of his/her own learning. I am skeptical about the effectiveness. Firstly, is there anything to compel the child to do the e-learning while at home. The child who completes the e-learning assignment is already the one who is more motivated to take charge of his/her learning. The unmotivated child will not complete the assignment at all. This is essentially a test of whether a child can listen to the instructions of the teacher to complete the assignment, which does not seem any different from other none ICT related assignments.
I feel that the biggest challenge of e-learning is self directed learning. Students regard e-learning day like a school holiday and they find it a chore to do their assignments online even though they are browsing the internet.
ReplyDeleteMy sister's school allocates 3 days for e-learning each year. I had to nag at her everyday to do her work. When she does do her work, she's not focused. She would be chatting on Facebook while she does her assignment.
I feel that we should implement self directed learning in the classroom before asking the students to practice it at home.
True. I feel the way we carry out e-learning is important. If it allows mere copying and pasting then it is not e-learning at all.Mano
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