the VCILT has been since 2003 an active promoter of the pedagogical concept of activity-based learning where the students is provided with a number of learning scenarios rather than e-book versions of paper-based manuals. As mentioned the real drive at the VCILT to engage in such approaches came from the interactions that the academic staff engaged with high-profile researchers and practitioners like Daniel Schneider of TECFA, Pierre Tchounikine of LIUM and Gilbert Paquette of TELUQ , just to name a few, in the field of educational technology. The VCILT was also very fortunate to have the visit of people from the Center for Activity Theory and Developmental Work Research of the University of Helsinki who are involved in transformative pedagogies and work intensively on activity theory. Consequently, the academics of the VCILT embraced that approach which proposed a clear demarcation from the use of the web as only a new delivery medium for learning materials. It was clear that this concept would bring about a new paradigm in the teaching and learning of the University of Mauritius.
The two educational philosophies that influenced the VCILT's pedagogical approaches mainly came from the activity-theoretical method of conceiving the learning process together with Schneider's definition of project/activity-based learning. In one of the presentations that Daniel Schneider made in Mauritius, he argued that new pedagogies alone including project-based and collaborative learning do not guarantee automatic results. The role of the teacher was therefore still very crucial for meaningful and successful learning to occur. However, the teacher was not the same "know-it-all" version that we are accustomed to but mainly with a redefined role mainly that of a facilitator, orchestrator and manager of the pedagogical scenarios that he elaborates for the students. As orchestrator, the teacher can be seen as the one who is the author of the pedagogical scenarios and learning content. As facilitator, he is the one who is the pivotal point for learner support as he needs to be there to clarify concepts, resolve students' perceived deadlocks, and helping in the fuzzy parts of the learning activity. While the role of the teacher as manager is described by Schneider (2003) as "make sure that such loops are productive, e.g. that the students produce something, that it is task related, that they engage themselves in meta-reflection (look critically at their own work) and that they discuss and share with others", it is also important for the teacher to manage the affective side of the students' engagement in the learning activity.
The first problem which is of pedagogical nature, that can arise in such situations are the possibilities of over-structuring of the scenarios that result in the same 'spoonfeeding' technique that is so much criticized by proponents of socio-constructivism. It is this lack of too much structure in the learning activity steps that creates the fuzzy element to foster original thinking as well as unique and different solutions from the learners. The idea is to have semi-structured learning activities or scenarios to prevent learners to propose stereotyped work that look similar to each other.
Learners should have the freedom to propose their own solutions but in a negotiated way with the teacher. Daniel Schneider also concurs with this by highlighting the need for equilibrium between liberty and guidance (figure 3.1).
The second issue is more complex, given that the teacher no longer performs one single role, but panoply of roles from orchestrator and facilitator to the management of the learning process. From experience, this can be a really difficult situation for the teacher who is more and more solicited by the students and at any time. The time that a lecturer has to devote with respect to project/activity-based learning also increases drastically with respect to the number of students and/or the number of learning activities to be monitored. It also depends on the number of courses being taught by one academic. While the first implementations of activity-based learning at the VCILT were within the Masters in Computer-Mediated Communications and Pedagogies course, the number of students was less than twenty and it was perfectly manageable for the academic. However, as the number of students started to grow and the VCILT started to diversify its courses, the workload of academics involved in activity-based pedagogies increased to a great extent. At some point, taking into account the constraints, the exigencies of service and other professional commitments, we tend to realize that having recourse to such efficient, innovative and competencies-based pedagogies are not affordable and sustainable by institutions in developing countries with limited resources.
On the other hand, after going through this painstaking process, the results are more than comforting for the practitioners when students are able to demonstrate the competencies they have developed. For instance, some years ago the VCILT offered a module on "Educational Technologies" which was offered as a general elective module. The course had three main learning activities and the outcome that students had to achieve was the production of an educational website. In the first learning activity they had to use concept mapping tool to devise an appropriate structure for their course. The second activity was based on presentation software to model a prototype of the final web based learning environment while the third activity was to actually learn to use a web authoring software to develop a small educational website. While the students came from different fields and with different levels of exposure and skills with respect to computers and information technology, they all (those who submitted their work) managed, in successive cohorts to achieve well above average in the course. The illustrations below (Fig 3.2) are sample of the outcomes of activity-based approaches to learning.
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| figure 3.2 |
This leads us to the third important issue related to the implementation of activity-based pedagogies. While teachers need to have the right mindset to be able to keep up with their new roles, students need to also understand their new responsibilities and tasks. In an e-learning environment focused on the development of skills and competencies, students are no longer mere recipients for 'pre-cooked' knowledge. Students need to be equipped with the relevant techniques of methods of inquiries, information search, retrieval and classification as well as application in context-dependent scenarios. Therefore, students need to show a more entrepreneurship culture and independence in the learning process. An entrepreneurship culture would therefore mean more autonomy, development of self-management and self-regulation abilities in terms of commitment, time management and work rate.
For many of us, learning can simply means information processing, facts recalling, critical thinking or accumulation of knowledge. But these are all alternative concepts of learning. Meaningful leaning takes place through activities only. The most likely reason is that an activity allows the learner to build up a mental model of whatever information he/she could grasp. Such ways of learning can stay for a whole lifetime.
ReplyDeleteBelow are some advantages of the Activity-Based Learning (ABL):
1. Learning by doing
2. Develop reasoning skills
3. Build up creative ideas and knowledge
4. Socialise with others
5. Personality development
However, ABL might not always give the mentioned advantages if proper planning is not done prior to the class; and good planning usually is very time - consuming. At times, less meritorious students may not be able to grasp the essence of the activity. Thus, the objectives of ABL are not met.
It is indeed a great initiative to come up with Activity-Based Learning programmes, but care should be taken that the activities are properly planned and should be as flawless as possible for learners to benefit the most. Care should also be taken of the manipulative skills of all students irrespectively.
Please view the video at the following URL for a visual apercu of Activity-Based Leaning in class:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4opNyH0Ck8
Activity-based Learning
ReplyDeleteSuch type of learning is indeed very interesting. Students are better capable of learning by carrying their own research and through mistakes but activities and projects alone are not sufficient for effective learning to take place. The need for a teacher is very important as he acts as a facilitator/ orchestrator to clarify any doubt that the students may have. However, they need to ensure that they do not overdo in their roles which would otherwise cause spoonfeeding and thus prevent the learners from developing their critical and analytical skills and competencies. It is therefore important for the students to be equipped with the relevant techniques and method of enquiries and show independence in the learning process.
Distance Education.
Distance education has created a major shift in how educators and students think about teaching and learning. By allowing students to learn in more convenient locations and often at more convenient times, distance education opens educational opportunity to previously unreached populations. It also enables more people to extend the period of their education from a limited number of schooling years to a lifelong learning process. In addition, it changes power and authority relationships between teachers and learners, often encouraging more equal and open communication than occurs in conventional educational settings. Because distance education enables institutions to reach students all over the world, learners gain increased opportunities to experience other cultures and enriches their educational experience.
Such type of learning is indeed very interesting. Students are better capable of learning by carrying their own research and through mistakes but activities and projects alone are not sufficient for effective learning to take place. The need for a teacher is very important as he acts as a facilitator/ orchestrator to clarify any doubt that the students may have. However, they need to ensure that they do not overdo in their roles which would otherwise cause spoonfeeding and thus prevent the learners from developing their critical and analytical skills and competencies. It is therefore important for the students to be equipped with the relevant techniques and method of enquiries and show independence in the learning process.
ReplyDeleteActivity-Based Learning
ReplyDeleteActivity-Based Learning describes a range of pedagogical approaches to teaching. Its core premises include the requirement that learning should be based on doing some hands-on experiments and activities. The idea of activity-based learning is rooted in the common notion that children are active learners rather than passive recipients of information. If a student is provided the opportunity to explore by their own and provided an optimum learning environment then the learning becomes joyful and long-lasting.
Activity based learning engages the student in the process of constructing his own learning rather than passively receiving information which may or may not have meaning for him.
Activity based learning does give the student scope for independent learning and exploring something on their own without direction from a teacher. I strongly agree to the point that students need to be equipped with the relevant techniques of methods of inquiries, information search, retrieval and classification as well as application in context-dependent scenarios. Therefore, students need to show a more entrepreneurship culture and independence in the learning process. An entrepreneurship culture would therefore mean more autonomy, development of self-management and self-regulation abilities in terms of commitment, time management and work rate. In such cases, it will not result in ‘spoon feeding’ technique which is so much criticized by everybody.
Activity based learning can be fun and motivate those students who are used to everything being entertaining, exciting, instantly gratifying and easy and who would otherwise be lost because of their poor attitude.
However activity based learning works effectively and efficiently only in small group of student. With the increasing amount of student nowadays this services cost too much.
Young learners can totally loose the point of the exercise and not gain anything from it. For example, using paints to make a chart to supposedly learn about graphing can degenerate to a painting exercise where the student simply thinks they are making a picture. The exercise is too much like play and the student does not realize they are meant to be doing something totally different. Therefore the role of a teacher is crucial for meaningful and successful learning to take place. The teacher is combined in three roles namely a facilitator, orchestrator and manager. As a facilitator, he will provide support to the student and clear all their misunderstanding. As orchestrator, he will act as an author. As manager, he will manage the student and the learning environment.
I can conclude that in all modes of instruction evaluation has important roles in efforts to assess student learning, to discover misconceptions among students, and to determine the effectiveness of programs.
Distance learning encourages more personal work from learners, but the role of a teacher remains crucial in the learning process. The teacher is a facilitator who makes sure that pupils understand and work properly in order to produce good results. Though developing countries cannot afford such efficient innovations due to a lack of resources, traditional ways of learning already used should not be spoon feeding, as it prevents students from doing research on their own. Moreover, instead of having a personal and original point of view, pupils are in a way forced to learn the point of view of the teacher. That is why in many such classes, answers to questions are practically the same in exams. Thus it is impossible for students to demonstrate their own personality.
ReplyDeleteDistance learning encourages more personal work from learners, but the role of a teacher remains crucial in the learning process. The teacher is a facilitator who makes sure that pupils understand and work properly in order to produce good results. Though developing countries cannot afford such efficient innovations due to a lack of resources, traditional ways of learning already used should not be spoon feeding, as it prevents students from doing research on their own. Moreover, instead of having a personal and original point of view, pupils are in a way forced to learn the point of view of the teacher. That is why in many such classes, answers to questions are practically the same in exams. Thus it is impossible for students to demonstrate their own personality.
ReplyDeleteDistance learning encourages more personal work from learners, but the role of a teacher remains crucial in the learning process. The teacher is a facilitator who makes sure that pupils understand and work properly in order to produce good results. Though developing countries cannot afford such efficient innovations due to a lack of resources, traditional ways of learning already used should not be spoon feeding, as it prevents students from doing research on their own. Moreover, instead of having a personal and original point of view, pupils are in a way forced to learn the point of view of the teacher. That is why in many such classes, answers to questions are practically the same in exams. Thus it is impossible for students to demonstrate their own personality.
ReplyDeleteDistance learning encourages more personal work from learners, but the role of a teacher remains crucial in the learning process. The teacher is a facilitator who makes sure that pupils understand and work properly in order to produce good results. Though developing countries cannot afford such efficient innovations due to a lack of resources, traditional ways of learning already used should not be spoon feeding, as it prevents students from doing research on their own. Moreover, instead of having a personal and original point of view, pupils are in a way forced to learn the point of view of the teacher. That is why in many such classes, answers to questions are practically the same in exams. Thus it is impossible for students to demonstrate their own personality.
ReplyDeleteTeachers do play an important role in the life of a student. This face-to-face interaction between teacher and student has allowed existed since years and now we are used to this method of studying. Teachers may not know everything but they do play major roles in facilitating our learnig task, clarifying concepts for us to understand better what we are studying and they also solve our problem on the spot, no need to send our problems by mail to the tutor and wait for him to reply to us. Moreover it is easier to understand an explanation that is given by a teacher who is physically present in front of us instead of sending explanation written in notes form by mail whereby the student need to read and understand and in some cases students fail to understand. However some teachers tend to “spoonfeed” their students. This technique prevents the learner from developing a critical mind and provides his own solutions and point of views. Consequently with the implementation of e-learning, learners will need to know their responsibilites and tasks. In this method of learning, their personal skills and competencies will be assessed. Activity- Based Learning will ecourage student to become an independent learner.
ReplyDeleteA consensus has been approved by high profile researchers to change activity based learning into learning scenarios rather than comprehending loads of eBooks. The teacher should no longer be “spoonfeeders” but acts rather as a facilitator, orchestrator and manager of the scholar’s learning process. E leaning activities have yielded positive response to the extent that students started developing entrepreneurial mindset, self dependency and versatility to time management and work rate.
ReplyDeleteThe Activity-based learning makes use of the web as only a new delivery medium for learning materials. However, we must take into consideration some issues. Firstly, the possibilities of over-structuring of the scenarios. The idea is to have semi-structured learning activities or scenarios to foster the original thinking as well as unique and different solutions from the learners. Secondly, the teacher performs panoply of roles from orchestrator and facilitator to the management of the learning process. And thirdly students need to be equipped with the relevant techniques of methods of inquiries, information search, retrieval and classification as well as application in context-dependent scenarios. Thus, the students should develop self-management and self regulation abilities in terms of commitment, time management and work rate.
ReplyDeleteHere, we learn about the three different pedagogical problems associated with activity-theoretical method. The role of a teacher is much emphasized as well as his duties (facilitator, orchestrator and manager). Daniel Schneider presented several concepts such as liberty and guidance, arguing the fact that the learner should not only be just a mere recipient which I found particularly important for a student’s accomplishment. I believe that the activity-theoretical method can help to reduce the barrier size between the student and the teacher if it is well implemented.
ReplyDeleteHello Dilena,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your views as it is true that the activity-theoretical method is a great solution as truly the duty of the students does not consists of receiving relevant information-"spoonfeeding" but also having an independent culture and managing themselves on their own. They should be engaged in the relevant method of information searching, enquiries, retrieval and classification as well as its application in appropriate context.
Besides, empowerment to them can bring more freedom of expression(can fosters better way of thinking -more innovatively) which would lead them to a later self-management in the different fields; mainly commitment, work and the most important factor-:TIME.
As for educators or even counsellors, their main role would be to develop the competencies and assigning negotiated the different work-activities to the students and guiding them in the right direction.
In this article we learn about pedagogical problems relating to activity-theotical method and how important is the role of a teacher in real life situation. The teachers must no longer be like mothers who keep on feeding their babies. Spoon feeding is a major problem; teachers should act rather as a facilitator, orchestrator and manager of the scholar’s learning process. By so doing learners will develop personal skill, create their own idea and become independent. Activity- Based Learning will encourage student to become an independent learner and as such it is important for the students to be equipped with prominent methods. These methods or techniques must be effective and useful in the sense that it should not be taken for granted or like a game. It is generally said that specific learning techniques are taken for granted if the group is too large. In addition the role as the teacher is to evaluate and to make learners to feel at ease with a given environment.
ReplyDelete@ Daryl: after having read your article, I am a bit pessimistic about the point you raised about time management of the learners . I think that there is still much room for improvement concerning this issue. We can already notice that E-Learners wait till the last day before the deadline to do their work. This is because E-learning lags behind in terms of supervision and control.
ReplyDeleteAccording to me, activity-based learning has both its advantages and disadvantages. The generation of today, having grown up with computers and other electronic devices, find themselves easily at ease with this kind of education. Nevertheless, as precised in the article, the role of the teacher remains crucial for the process of learning to occur. Several problems can arise in using activity-based learning. Some of these include the way the information is displayed (whether it is sufficiently clear and understandable) and whether the students are being able to keep up. However, students devlelop autonomy and can better manage their time. Activity-based learning is, thus, the tool of the new generation, which has many promises.
ReplyDeleteActivity-based learning, as what I’ve understood from this article, is the form of learning where the learner is actively engaged in a task. Spoon feeding is surely a problem, mainly at secondary level and transition from this stage to a self-learning stage, as we do have at the university really difficult as I admit, I’ve experienced it in the very first weeks. Coming to the facts, activity-based learning appeals more to those who enjoy learning through doing - not all learners are active learners though as some are more reflective and like to observe. Activity based learning can be fun and motivate those students who are used to everything being entertaining and exciting also. However, activity is just part of learning. Without reflecting on the activity; thinking about it in certain ways to make a theory; testing that theory again etc. the active learning will have very little lasting value while young learners can totally loose the point of the exercise and not gain anything from it. Nevertheless, I sincerely believe that activity-based learning is the best form of learning that may exist.
ReplyDeleteActivity-based learning
ReplyDeleteI quite agree with the statement suggesting that the new pedagogies alone, for example, the project-based and collaborating learning, do not completely guarantee the good results of students. The teacher mostly should act as a facilitator and a guide rather that dictating students all the notes, in other words, spoon feeding them. The rest of the work must be performed by the students. Hence, I think that collaborative work, teacher’s help and the student personal effort must work hand in hand to give a brilliant outcome.
Moreover, I agree that the role of the teacher as a facilitator is to solve the queries of the students but it does not apply that they should look after the students as if they are still kids. I believe that the students must be made independent as from the early age. This can be done by promoting interactive sessions in class, for instance, by doing group discussions and debate more often. This can also be achieved as mentioned in the blog, by promoting web-based activities, as in the course of educational technologies. By encouraging the students to perform these activities, they can develop a sense of responsibility. Furthermore, this can help them to become independent and also to excel not only their chosen subjects, but others as well. I think that this is an efficient way of new pedagogies. This is what renders the student mature.
Nowadays, students are learning via e-book rather than big manuals. This new concept is going to bring definitely new perspective in the education field. Teacher’s role has changed it is no more the “know-it-all” type as it has become a facilitator, orchestrator and a manager. The main drawback of a pedagogical nature is the “spoon-feeding”. The freedom of choosing the solution should be given.
ReplyDeleteNowadays, students are learning via e-book rather than big manuals. This new concept is going to bring definitely new perspective in the education field. Teacher’s role has changed it is no more the “know-it-all” type as it has become a facilitator, orchestrator and a manager. The main drawback of a pedagogical nature is the “spoon-feeding”. The freedom of choosing the solution should be given.
ReplyDeleteThis new way of teaching and learning through the web as the only medium can be appropriate in some cases of learning but it does also have limits.
ReplyDeleteAs learning alone through these activity-based tools can be difficult sometimes, if any query or guidance is needed, response by lecturers is not received immediately. Thus eventually making the use of traditional classes important.
I think that being in a tertiary institution we are compelled to work by ourselves. We are no more spoon fed thus the introduction of such innovative and competencies-based pedagogies are here to remind us to what extent we will no more have 'pre-cooked' knowledge as mentioned in the article by lecturers.
The last issue mentioned in the article shows how we students should be prepared to navigate and work through the various sources, here we are only guided and this eventually help us to develop our skills as we should be able to achieve task given to us. This makes us independent when faced to our screens dealing with the different activities.
Moreover this activity-based learning will also increase our commitment as we should be responsible enough to respect the deadline.
Regarding what Kevin said its true, as very often E-learners wait for the last minute to post and do their work. Actually it’s often my case I wait for the last minute, or always tell myself that I have time ahead. May be I do so because knowing I should hand my hard copy to the lecturer in due time is more stressful than submitting/posting it on the web.
ReplyDeleteHere we can see that ABL help learners to develop their personal skill and competencies, alongside helping her/him to become an independent learner.
ReplyDeleteQuoting from Wikipedia:
”The idea of activity-based learning is rooted in the common notion that children are active learners rather than passive recipients of information. If child is provided the opportunity to explore and provided an optimum learning environment then the learning becomes joyful and long-lasting.”
However we should not neglect the fact that teachers have been and are playing a very important role in the education curriculum, whereby they play the role of a facilitator.
The major drawback of ABL is that it is more suitable for experimental sciences than to social sciences.
The activity-theoretical method of conceiving the learning process is an innovative one.
ReplyDeleteThe role of the teacher in that new pedagogy was focused on in the sense that he would become more as a facilitator for the students, to clarify and solve their problems.
At the same time his or her role is to ensure that students participate and produce the work required to.
However there are different problems that are been faced and the first criticism is that in a sense, students tend to be spoon fed as in the traditional method of teaching.
One solution to that is that there should have semi-structured learning activities for learners for them to be less predictable in the work submitted.
There should be a balance between the guidance of the teacher to avoid spoon feeding, and the learner’s initiative.
Another problem is that the teacher is solicited by the student s at any time. It is not practical and is too demanding for the teacher to manage large cohort.
Students need to become familiar within the relevant techniques of enquiries and information search, becoming more independent and autonomous and need also to show a more entrepreneurship culture.
The activity-theoretical method of conceiving the learning process is an innovative one.
ReplyDeleteThe role of the teacher in that new pedagogy was focused on in the sense that he would become more as a facilitator for the students, to clarify and solve their problems.
At the same time his or her role is to ensure that students participate and produce the work required to.
However there are different problems that are been faced and the first criticism is that in a sense, students tend to be spoon fed as in the traditional method of teaching.
One solution to that is that there should have semi-structured learning activities for learners for them to be less predictable in the work submitted.
There should be a balance between the guidance of the teacher to avoid spoon feeding, and the learner’s initiative.
Another problem is that the teacher is solicited by the student s at any time. It is not practical and is too demanding for the teacher to manage large cohort.
Students need to become familiar within the relevant techniques of enquiries and information search, becoming more independent and autonomous and need also to show a more entrepreneurship culture
I agree with the point raised by Swit-devil that teachers have a role to play in the learning process but we need not to forget that we are now at tertiary level and that therefore we need to be independent and autonomous. If the information being transmitted and the instructions for performing the job are clear, the teacher is of no real need. It would amount to distant learning which is also an efficient mean of learning.
ReplyDeleteNowadays e -learning is very important because one need to walk with time. More over with this system one can work at his/her own pace and need not rush with his assignments. For those who face problems of all kind to travel long distances to attend lectures will find himself free and independent.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that VCILT is a good pedagogical concept to promote student success but the teacher has a crucial role to play especially as a facilitator to clarify concepts which cannot be fully understood online.
ReplyDeleteVCILT is an active promoter of the pedagogical concept of activity-based learning where the students are provided with a number of learning scenarios. VCILT with the use of the web as delivery medium for learning materials has brought a new paradigm in the teaching and learning of the University of Mauritius. The use of internet for learning is a good thing but still role of the teacher was therefore still very crucial for meaningful and successful learning to occur. The teacher however should not be spoon-feeding his pupils but he/she should act as a facilitator, orchestrator and manager of the pedagogical scenarios that he/she elaborates for their students and helping them in the difficult parts of the learning activity. Spoon feeding may be good in the point of view of a pupil because he/she is receiving whatever data needed just for the sake of passing examinations however spoon-feeding hinders the ability to foster original thinking as well as unique and different solutions from the students. The students must think and do a lot of research work by themselves and also have the freedom to propose their own solutions to their teacher. In an e-learning environment the student needs to focus on the development of skills and competencies such as information technologies and hence develop their IT skills as well, moreover, students are no longer mere recipients for 'pre-cooked' knowledge. To conclude, a teacher should be there for his students as a guide and not to spoon-feed his students just for the sake of academic success but for his overall development
I agree with yema however we should also think about modernising the education system where it should be made easier and not to complicate life. i agree there should be the presence of a teacher but this can also be done by video conferencing and telelearning!!!!
ReplyDeleteACTIVITY BASED LEARNING
ReplyDeleteActivity based learning is a very interesting and efficient learning strategy. This has helped to solve the problem of spoon feeding as students now have to do their own research and activities by themselves. Students give positive response and are more responsible towards work submission and show more interest to learn by involving in different activities. They have also developed their critical and analytical skills and competencies through Activity Based Learning which will surely help them in their future.
Activity-Based Learning is effective in the way to make students become active learners. I also agree that students need to be equipped with relevant techniques methods of inquiries, information search and so on. But activities and projects are not sufficient as a mean of learning as the role of teacher remains crucial for the process of learning.
ReplyDeleteActivity-Based Learning
ReplyDeleteSuch type of learning is indeed very motivating. Students are better capable of learning by carrying their own research and through mistakes, in short being independent. But activities alone are not sufficient for effective learning to take place. The need for a teacher is very important as he acts as a facilitator/orchestrator/guide to clarify any doubt that the students may have. However, the concept of ‘spoonfeeding’ brought along many criticism since this was exaggerated system from teachers. Therefore, it is important for the students to be equipped with the relevant techniques and method of working and show independence in the learning process through a more entrepreneurship culture
However activity based learning works effectively and efficiently only in small group of student. But after the intake of a greater number of students, it was soon realized that it was affordable.
Therefore, we can conclude that teachers play a vital role for the students without overdoing their role but e-learning is allowing students to see education from a new point of view.
A.Adeeba Jambocus
@bhavna
ReplyDeletei agree with your point of view, regarding the fact that spoon-feeding is just a method to pass examinations but not to forge original ideas.Spoon feeding really hinders our process and it is today that i realised that i was victimed of this mechanism. We must all go for a better system to change our fate.
Personally, I think that activity based learning has both its pros and cons. For instance, the use of the internet for learning and teaching is a good thing but the physical presence of a teacher or lecturer is still very important. In this 21st century, the roles of a teacher are to; facilitate learning task and clarify questions instantaneously. Many students, including myself, find it easier to understand the lecture being delivered by a lecturer rather to read notes on a computer screen! When the activity based learning concept is used, several problems can arise; for instance: if query remains the answers may not be immediate. However, teachers should not be spoon feeding their students. In fact, spoon feeding prevents the learners from developing personal and critical points of view and also from doing any research work by their own. In other words, there should be a balance between the guidance and the learners’ participation.
ReplyDelete“Activity Based learning” concept focuses on the development of skills and competencies. Students are active learners (participate more) rather than to be recipients of information. Finally, through this concept, students are encouraged to be more independent, develop the sense of responsibility and to manage both their time and work rate.
From what I have learnt, to some extent I do agree that new pedagogies alone will not lead to complete success; the role of the teacher is also important. However it must be noted that the teacher shall be acting only as a guide and a partner to the students. Tertiary level students especially should understand their duties and uphold to it. Being independent, this implies that they will have to develop certain skills like research work, team work, to socialize, etc in order not to lag behind.
ReplyDeleteConsequently, we must also consider the fact that at secondary level, there is the existence of ‘spoon-feeding’ and with the drastic change to the tertiary level, some students may not adapt or some may take time
Hence, it would be more appropriate if students were given opportunities do to their work on their own and be able to voice out their opinions; but given that the teacher assist them.
The aim of Activity-Based Learning (ABL) is to change the teacher from an authority in knowledge to a facilitator for the student to discover knowledge. When anyone experiences interest in something, whether it is a subject, sport or activity, nothing will stop him or her from learning all they can about it. Academic subjects can also be introduced from an interesting perspective, where fun is a gateway for learning. .
ReplyDeleteThe teacher changes from authority to facilitator by finding ways to present a syllabus that is based on fun. Many types of games and activities can be modified for school use and once children understand and enjoy the games, they will create games for themselves and other classes. Whether through play or through games created for learning, children automatically remember the subject involved. Just because children and teachers are enjoying the games does not mean that the subject matter gets lost; on the contrary, the subject matter is the starting point. .
I give thumbs up for VCILT which provides Activity-based learning. This technique is very effective in all ways possible. Resources allocated to a particular topic can sometime be ignored by students, however an activity along with a resource make sit more interesting and the students makes his best to understand the topic discussed to work out the activity work given. The student also makes an effort to learn more on a topic covered. The tutor, in the other hand, easily understands whether the student has understood the topic by following the activity the latter worked out.
ReplyDelete@pooja: Hey I agree with your argument based on ABL. The fact that the activities should be flawless and thoroughly examined before posting is absolutely right. I agree with the idea that proper planning is required for this purpose too. However, there is also a point which may cover this argument. The fact that the tutor is posting an activity based on the topic, the latter produced the activity not based on the students own capability but the topic in all. Note that the activity is for all students, and not for one particular, so the tutor can only make one activity not based on students but the topic covered.
ReplyDeleteActivity based learning encourages students to be more independent and to develop critical skills by doing research works on their own. Nevertheless, the presence of a teacher is important for the learning process and in classifying doubts. But, teachers should ensure they are not spoon feeding their students.
ReplyDelete@ Auckbarally, i agree with the points you but forward.Hence, to reduce spoon-feeding, children at a younger age must be guided on how to do their work on their own and not depend on teachers.For instance, how to look for their note, etc. If that happens at an early age, then students when moving to the tertiary level would not be frustrated about that drastic change- from spoon feeding to self-learner.
ReplyDeleteIn this new way of teaching, the teacher do really play an important role as they will try to fasilitate the learning of his student by providing support as musch as possible and at the end, help them to achieved something (for example; being independant in learning and be able to socilised with others while learning more about themselves)
ReplyDeleteFor my point of view, I think that this new type of learning is a great way of learning but if we take care enought, thier will be some drawbacks which we will not be able avoid (for example; the copyright issue-what will stop a student from coping anothe person tasks?) and so sepecial must be taken so as to discouraged this practice.
Activity-Based Learning (ABL) I guess will be most welcome among students. In addition to helping them to develop their IT skills, this type of learning will make the students face real life situation. Thus, he will find the real importance of his studies. Very often we hear students say, “How will this chapter help us in our life?” ABL will bring the answer. Also, may be with Activity Based Learning we will at last get rid of the “bookish student” etiquette. ABL might also develop the sense of responsibility of the student. Indeed, the work presented by past years student in Educational Technologies GEM was a success and I feel VCILT is moving in the good direction.
ReplyDelete@doordarshee
ReplyDeleteI don’t think that eLearning should be equal to more leisure time. It might facilitate our work but the element of discipline must not be erased. Learning must help us to overcome our weakness, not to join us in our weakness. :)
Activity based learning
ReplyDeleteActivity based learning has been one of the mediums through which one becomes a self learner but still with some aid of his or her instructor. Activity based learning allows the learner to think by himself under the guidance of an instructor. But still the guidance of the instructor might impede in the generating ideas of the learner as the latter feels being judged at some point. However, freedom of speech for the learner might prove useful to the instructor and the learner as well but it cannot be denied that the guidance of the instructor is salient thus avoiding confusions in the mind of the learner.
Activity-based learning is indeed a good initiative. It helps the students to become more familiar with e-learning educational tools and also with the computer and the internet. However, it has been often said that a book is the best companion.A student may feel really uncomfortable in studying online.At any time, he may want to check a note.It would be easier in the case of a book rather on e-learning or the latter is unable to digest a part of the syllabus. For this, a teacher's presence is absolutely important.
ReplyDelete@ Auckbarally: I totally agree with you that students should be encouraged to become independent since their early ages.I think that the society should encourage the development of the creative part of the mind of the children.This should help them to become more critical and independent. However, as you rightly said, a teacher should be only a guide to the child. Spoon-feeding will not enable a proper development of the latter.
ReplyDeleteActivity-Based Learning
ReplyDeleteVCILT is an active promoter of the pedagogical concept of activity-based learning where the students are provided with a number of learning scenarios. VCILT with the use of the web as delivery medium for learning materials has brought a new paradigm in the teaching and learning of the University of Mauritius.
Such type of learning is indeed very motivating. Students are better capable of learning by carrying their own research and through mistakes, in short being independent. But activities alone are not sufficient for effective learning to take place. The need for a teacher is very important as he acts as a facilitator/orchestrator/guide to clarify any doubt that the students may have. However, the concept of ‘spoonfeeding’ brought along many criticism since this was exaggerated system from teachers.
Therefore, it is important for the students to be equipped with the relevant techniques and method of working and show independence in the learning process through a more entrepreneurship culture
However activity based learning works effectively and efficiently only in small group of student. But after the intake of a greater number of students, it was soon realized that it was affordable.
Nevertheless, the presence of a teacher is important for the learning process and in classifying doubts.
Hello Laksha...
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you about this type of learning making the students more prone to the self-learning system. Most students face much difficulties to cope later on (at tertiary level) due to the lack of proper “let-go” from their previous studies. They have had been spoon fed most of the time and are thus penalised among the other students who have had a much more proper self-development about their studies. In this way, even intelligent pupils do not achieve the required level fast enough to move on with the flow.
ACTIVITY- BASE LEARNING
ReplyDeleteThis article has put forward new concepts about Activity Based Learning. Many learners have had the perception that the teachers work has diminished through ABL, but now it is clear that it was never as such. As stated by Daniel Schneider, teachers have 3 roles (facilitator, Orchestrator and manager). Although certain tasks of the teacher have indeed been eliminated, others have cropped up. For instance, replying to individual queries of students (the teacher has first to read and try to understand) is not an easy task. Also he has to make sure that too much information or over-structuring is not done so as to avoid stereo-typed work. This indeed involves much planning, skills and knowledge.
ABL can be said to be a boon to students. This is because ABL not only ‘save’ us from attending lectures and exams, develop our personality and socialize with others but also give us freedom to express our solutions. However, it should be noted that, the learners do need guidance so as they can progress in the right direction. As an example, I appreciate the way that the teacher has displayed the instructions of the activities given to us. The notes and instructions are simple, self explicit and understanding, and this will surely lead to productive work from the learners.
The idea that ABL has made students more competent is very impressive. The way students have worked to develop the educational website is very inspiring and it would certainly be most beneficial to us if we were given the opportunity to have such activities.
@Maheshi
ReplyDeleteActivity-Based Learning certainly makes a student become active learner. For instance if the student has a query, he/she will do a research work on it on his own (learning new things in the process) and will formulate an apt question for the teacher (which he might ask via e-mail or online interaction) if he is not satisfied.
Activity-based learning is the achievement of graphic concepts through activities that engage the charge or concept to be learned. The approach itself is very old in form. Activity-based learning fits very adequately into student-centered environments because students are learning to read and write through their own energetic involvement in the process, however this does not halt there. Activity-based learning also refers to the teacher connecting something essentially boring with an activity that engages students and allows them to get excited about what they are doing. For instance, in a third grade classroom, learning how to divide whole numbers into fractions through the teacher conducting a demonstration on the whiteboard would be an utterly hopeless event—nobody would learn how to divide whole numbers into fractions.
ReplyDeleteLearning through activity has gone in and out of popularity through the ages. It is now strictly downplayed in an epoch of identical testing and accountability. Teachers are trying to “meet” the colossal amount of standards by drilling facts into their students’ heads. The thought is that if teachers force-feed students with enough facts, surely some of them will stick… Instead, teachers need to take the time to allow students to learn, let them learn through creative play, active involvement, inquiry-based methods, or other forms of activity-based learning. It is almost inevitable that children will learn more through this approach than if teachers try to force the spoon into their’ mouths. So, if students are given the opportunity to actually absorb the material than is it really a problem to take the time to do it? This is one of the major arguments used to justify non-activity-based methods.
@ vara
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with your point of view. Activity based learning should be encouraged in mauritius. This will stop spoon feeding and will boosts up their sense of self-learning.
Activity Based Learning
ReplyDeleteThe VCILT is indeed praiseworthy for promoting a different way of learning and teaching at the University where it has been truly appreciated by students and the administration.
The main characteristics of the Activity Based Learning are to foster self-learning and to allow a student to study according to his/her aptitude and skill. Its core premises include the requirement that learning should be based on doing some hands-on experiments and activities. This will make learning more enjoyable and allow the student to assimilate information in a better way.
However, the role of a teacher as highlighted by the researchers is to facilitate the learning process of the students in a formal manner. The students are somehow motivated by enthusiastic teachers who try to improve the class atmosphere and provide a better quality of education. But, here comes the spoon feeding concept which deteriorates the student's learning process. Rather, the students should be provided with more freedom and liberty to learn by themselves and where the student learns by his own mistake.
As conclusion, the ABL should be highly encouraged since its benefits are obvious. But the importance of the role of a teacher should not be neglected since it do and has collaborated greatly in the teaching and learning process. Otherwise, our educated ancestors who only had access as a learning medium their teachers would not have existed!!!
@ Ameerah Ahmine
ReplyDeleteasslm Ameerah Ahmine, I do agree with the points you highlighted, the VCILT having brought a new paradigm in the teaching and learning of the University of Mauritius, being one of these. The arguments brought along concerning the teacher as an important medium to learning was highly appreciated and moreover it is true to note that the physical presence of a teacher is better compared to a ‘virtual’ teacher, if I can say.
The activity based learning is proved to be very beneficial by great researchers and it is indeed true. But on the other hand, as you stated is the fact, that it not that efficient when a large number of students are concerned.
Different people have different way of learning things.Some may be at ease with activity-based learning and some with the traditional way that is learning from books etc...In the past the learning process did not contain a lot of logic but a lot of learning by heart.It seems more interesting to learn by yourself. Going to websites and viewing comments of people to try to understand by yourself facts will be more retained rather than by heart.In order to understand one will put it in his own way and shall not be obliged to understand it the way the teacher wants. The greatest problem called spoon feeding shall decrease since you will be left with only the direction the rest must be done by you and with the help of your friends. Furthermore understanding something by experiement seems more retainable rather than learning it in a book. You can learn how to swim in a book but there is a greater chance that you will get drown if you get in deep water compared to a someone who lives near the sea and swims everyday.
ReplyDelete@Anne- Sophie Lenette
ReplyDeleteYou are right when you say that we are at the tertiary level but teachers are important for guidance.We can't be too independant and autonomous only because we are in the tertairy level.We do need teachers to guide us.Imagine a plane without a pilot.Do you think will it move?The teacher will show us the way and we will have to pass there to achieve our goals.
Activity-based learning or ABL describes a range of pedagogical approaches to teaching. Its core premises include the requirement that learning should be based on doing some hands-on experiments and activities. The idea of activity-based learning is rooted in the common notion that children are active learners rather than passive recipients of information. If child is provided the opportunity to explore by their own and provided an optimum learning environment then the learning becomes joyful and long-lasting.The key feature of the ABL method is that it uses child-friendly educational aids to foster self-learning and allows a child to study according to his/her aptitude and skill. It is about doing rather than listening, about active engagement rather than mindless copying of words and numbers which are often little understood. In mathematics, for example, objects are sorted, counted and manipulated to bring meaning to the symbols + - x /.
ReplyDeleteActivity-based learning is the acquirement of schematic concepts through activities that involve the task or concept to be learned. The old 4-H motto “learn to do by doing” sums up this approach taken on mainly by progressive/developmentalist teachers. The approach itself is ancient in form; Socrates himself embraced a method of this approach. He challenged his students to find the answers for themselves through discussion and questioning—the same concept that serves as a foundation for activity-based learning. Activity-based learning fits very nicely into student-centered environments because students are learning to read and write through their own active involvement in the process, but it doesn’t stop there. Activity-based learning also refers to the teacher interweaving something essentially boring with an activity that engages students and allows them to get excited about what they are doing. For instance, in a third grade classroom, learning how to divide whole numbers into fractions through the teacher conducting a demonstration on the whiteboard would be an utterly hopeless event—nobody would learn how to divide whole numbers into fractions. Even working fraction problems on paper is a boring task for the third grader who “just doesn’t get it.” However, bring the cookies into class and all of a sudden: halves, fourths, wholes, the child just seems to get it. In this example, the teacher took something essentially boring (fractions) and integrated it into something exciting for the child (cookies). Through this approach, learning becomes something the student does instead of something done to him.
ReplyDeleteLearning through activity has gone in and out of popularity through the ages. It is now severely downplayed in an era of standardized testing and accountability. Teachers are trying to “meet” the massive amount of standards by drilling facts into their students’ heads. The thought is that if teachers force-feed students with enough facts, surely some of them will stick… Instead, teachers need to take the time to allow students to learn, let them learn through creative play, active involvement, inquiry-based methods, or other forms of activity-based learning.
The VCILT has been promoting activity-based learning since 2003 after having consulted several important international personalities in the field of education technology, including Daniel Schneider if TECFA. From the theories put up by these people, the academics of the VCILT viewed the use of the Internet from a different perspective. Apart from a means of delivering learning materials, the web is also actively used by the VCILT for activity-based learning. The VCILT was influenced by educational philosophies, including Schneider’s definition of project/ activity-based learning. According to Schneider, the presence of a teacher in the education system is essential, but more as a facilitator, orchestrator and manager of the pedagogical approach to his students. However, this system does not come without hurdles, especially for the teacher. The teacher of the new education system should devise new ways of teaching as well as deciding about the learning content without the possibility of over-structuring which can lead to ‘spoon-feeding’. He should also be able to clarify any unclear concepts learned by his students. Schneider encourages the need for equilibrium between liberty and guidance among teachers towards students, whereby students have sufficient freedom to propose their own solutions and critically analyse their own work. The teacher should be able to manage the learning process. He has to devote time to all students and their respective learning activities. Another difficulty, mostly faced by developing countries, is the lack of resources, preventing them from implementing proper pedagogies. However, teachers and lecturers are greatly encouraged by the comforting results of students, showing that the activity-based pedagogies are effective. Proper implementation of activity-based learning programs requires teachers to develop the appropriate mindset so as to keep up with their new roles and also requires students to understand their new responsibilities. They should build self-discipline by properly managing their time and working at a reasonable rate on a regular basis. This activity-based learning system will develop the sense of responsibility of students.
ReplyDeleteActivity-based learning is beneficial because it is a good way to develop critical thinking among students instead of the traditional rote learning. This system is mainly advantageous to students who not only learn at their own pace, but also receive help from teachers who are there to answer to their respective queries. Nowadays, with facilities like Skype, distance is no longer a problem. However it should be forgotten that this system is more demanding and tiring to teachers who have to attend to each and every student. As a matter of fact, higher than average results of past students have shown that activity-based learning is an efficient and reliable system. It is a good investment project which developing countries need to consider, especially regions where students to not have access to computers and the Internet.
I agree with maiyshla when she mentions that students are at ease with computers and electronic devices. Therefore, manipulating the learning systems online will not be problem. And as she mentioned, we need to make sure that information displayed is clear and understandable. However, time management is not an easy process among students, especially those used to spoon-feeding and rote learning. Proper control and monitoring by lecturers will gradually help them manage their time efficiently.
ReplyDeleteActivity-based learning or ABL is to change the teacher from authority knowledge to a facilator for the student to discover knowledge and this has been the main aim on the VCILT. It has been a great initiative by the VCILT to promote ABL and with the help of abroad researchers is has been implemented in Mauritius. ABL has its good side and drawback both for the students and the tutors. The benefits and drawback can be read for the article. In this era of computerization, Activity-Based learning is a good mean of learning.
ReplyDeleteActivity Based Learning (ABL) describes a range of pedagogical approaches to teaching. Its core premises include the requirement that learning should be based on doing some hands-on experiments and activities. Experiments, projects and group work are some great teaching aids. The idea of ABL is rooted in the common motion that students are active learners rather than passive recipients of information.
ReplyDeleteThe aim of ABL is to change the teacher from an authority in knowledge to a facilitator for students to discover knowledge. Academic subjects can be introduced from an interesting perspective.
Learning would have been very difficult without someone to guide us. A teacher plays a prime role for meaningful and successful learning to occur. However, a teacher's role is only to guide students through learning activities. Students should learn to be independent and hence rely to a minimum on tutors. 'Spoonfeeding' is highly discouraged. A health environment in a classroom is developed when there is good interaction between teacher and students. Students should be encouraged to voice out their opinions and clear their doubts.
By performing activities, learners can apply the theory they have been taught. For example, this module has prepared us through all its units to finally develop a website. Furthermore, learners need not be restricted to the material provided by tutors. Students have to develop information finding skills.
ABL is indeed an essential part in educating, and hence should form part of every teaching program.
I agree with Pooja when she said that learning cannot be academic only. Activity-based learning helps the person to be more interactive, more extrovert, develop the sense of responsibility. I totally agree with what she said, which i also think is an important criteria, is the skill of reasoning which is vital for the development of the personality.
ReplyDeleteActivity-based learning or ABL describes a range of pedagogical approaches to teaching. Its core premises include the requirement that learning should be based on doing some hands-on experiments and activities. The idea of activity-based learning is rooted in the common notion that children are active learners rather than passive recipients of information. If students are provided the opportunity to explore by their own and provided an optimum learning environment then the learning becomes
ReplyDeletejoyful and long-lasting.
The goal of activity-based learning is for learners to construct mental models that allow for 'higher-order' performance such as applied problem solving and transfer of information and skills. New information and communication technologies make it possible to develop and deliver multimedia learning objects for activity-based learning. Activity-Based Learning (ABL) is to change the teacher from an authority in knowledge to a facilitator for the student to discover knowledge. Academic subjects can also be introduced from an interesting perspective, where fun is a gateway for learning.
ABL brings about certain benefits for the learners which are improving their reasoning skills, developing of innovative and creative ideas, socialising with others, amongs others. However, if proper planning of these activities is not done, the aim of ABL will fail. Futhermore ABL works efficiently only when it invloves a small group of learners. We have seen that one of the problem associated with ABL is spoonfeeding, teachers must act only as a facilitator and orchestrator and as a result the learners would have the freedom to propose their own solutions with collaboration with the teacher.
The teacher changes from authority to facilitator by finding ways to present a syllabus that is based on fun. ABL gives joy to children, and teachers have the satisfaction of imparting a life-long love for learning.
Activity based learning is about doing rather than listening, about active engagement rather than mindless copying of words and numbers which are often little understood. The idea of activity-based learning is rooted in the common notion that children are active learners rather than passive recipients of information. In mathematics, for example, concepts like full and empty are taught in the sand pit; fractions are made clear in cooking class.
ReplyDeleteLanguage skills are enhanced through real-time activities (climbing UP the ladder, sliding DOWN the slide) and science becomes real as the toy car rolls easily along the smooth surface but quickly comes to a halt on rough ground.
Rhymes help children develop a love of words for their own sake, while rhythmic clapping helps them appreciate the way words break into syllables and sounds. A game like I-spy (...with my little eye, something beginning with P) can help unlock the code of literacy.
Activity based learning engages the student in the process of constructing his own learning rather than passively receiving information which may or may not have meaning for him. And the best part is – it’s fun for both children and teachers.
ANALYSIS OF ABL
One can examine the ABL method and materials through the following five lenses:
a) Clarity of lessons
b) Classroom environment
c) Children’s involvement in process
d) Teacher’s role
e) Scope for creativity
My parents often say that today’s classrooms are completely different from when they were at school and one major difference may be said to be the transition to Activity-based learning or ABL. This involves doing or fully participating rather than simply listening and watching to the instructor without really understanding what we are being told or expected to learn. In fact, the traditional type of teaching has proved to be ineffective compared to the ABL. One example is that learners often drift off and begin to daydream or they become engaged in disruptive behaviour. Either way, one thing definitely isn’t happening; learning. ABL is a livelier way of teaching and since the learners are more involved and are encouraged to participate in class, they are able to understand and grasp lectures better. Some other benefits of the ABL are that students are so engaged that abstract concepts become meaningful and concrete to the learner and they display less disruptive behaviours.
ReplyDeleteActivity-based learning or ABL describes a range of pedagogical approaches to teaching. Its core premises include the requirement that learning should be based on doing some hands-on experiments and activities. The idea of activity-based learning is rooted in the common notion that children are active learners rather than passive recipients of information. If child is provided the opportunity to explore by their own and provided an optimum learning environment then the learning becomes joyful and long-lasting.
ReplyDeleteLearning through activity has gone in and out of popularity through the ages. It is now severely downplayed in an era of standardized testing and accountability. Teachers are trying to “meet” the massive amount of standards by drilling facts into their students’ heads. The thought is that if teachers force-feed students with enough facts, surely some of them will stick… Instead, teachers need to take the time to allow students to learn, let them learn through creative play, active involvement, inquiry-based methods, or other forms of activity-based learning.
Activity-based learning is beneficial because it is a good way to develop critical thinking among students instead of the traditional rote learning. This system is mainly advantageous to students who not only learn at their own pace, but also receive help from teachers who are there to answer to their respective queries.
Activity Based Learning shows the possibility of a system which can succeed in keeping children motivated and fully occupied while they are mastering the fundamentals.
ReplyDeleteAccording to me, ABL offers solutions to two major problems: multi-grade classes and inadequate staffing. ABL appears to be a system where the teacher can facilitate learning, without dominating the classroom or intimidating the children. Since the child learns in a self-directed way, from the systematic materials provided, teacher absence or occasional unavailability may not be a tragedy.
@ Yousra Assotally... Truly said! ABL is really an innovative way of learning via non-conventional ways. It develops creative and critical thinking in students and encouraged them to learn on their own through new technologies.
ReplyDeleteArticle 2: ‘Activity-Based learning’
ReplyDeleteThe article entitled ‘Activity-Based learning’ provides a debate of e-learning within the unfolding paragraphs. It highlights the importance of activity-based learning over “paper based manuals”. In other words it means the former is replacing the latter.
The role of a teacher is highlighted in this article. The word “orchestrator” is used figuratively. The teacher is compared to person who does researches and arranges the notes coherently. He prepares the students academically. He/ She is a teacher whose education is limited to certificates only. In the long run, the students are prepared for the competitive labor market.
He is not like the spiritual teacher in the Vedas and Upanishads where the latter is compared to “death” (because he kills the animalistic instincts in us) and “milk” (because he showers spiritual knowledge).
The e-learning system is bureaucratic. It relies on the person’s rationality and original thinking. For instance, the “spoonfeeding” the technique restricts them to academic qualifications which are passport for the job market. As a “facilitator” the teacher can simplify the notes. Nevertheless, it is a one-way process and very often, it lacks in depth analysis.
The last part of the article illustrates the nature of the modern students. For instance, the phrase
“(…) students need to also understand their new responsibilities and tasks”
denotes that students nowadays have the ability to differentiate between right and wrong. It helps to broaden one’s outlook and it helps them to become dutiful. The child should be innovative and creative in his/her way of thinking. With the help of his/ her “methods of inquiries” and “information research”, he/ she can comprehend and respects one’s background, culture, traditions and religions. With e-learning, people can easily adjust themselves to the rapid changes of modern times. For example, the entrepreneurship culture which signifies “more autonomy, development of self-management (…) and work rate”.
But, I think that along with advantages e-learning has some drawbacks also. They are as follows:
• Metaphorically, e-learning has ‘colonized’ them. Before independence, the white was colonizing or dominating the blacks. Even today, the white has an upper-hand over the blacks sine internet is invented by white people. Therefore, people gather information from a eurocentrist perspective. The data in the computer can be biased.
• Very often, e-learning remains a utopian space of equality. The idea that it is freer place is false to a certain degree. For instance, many people who communicate with others through internet deliberately change heir profile to sound more attractive. This altered identity is an illusion.
An analysis of Busawon’s comments on ‘Activity-Based Learning’
ReplyDeleteHi Busawon
In the 1st paragraph of your article, you have mentioned the disadvantages of the spoon feeding technique. Moreover, I agree with you that the spoon feeding process undoubtedly hinders the self-development of a person. This type of learning is monotonous. You have rightly pointed out that “teachers must no longer be like mothers who keep on feeding their babies.” The students, in the long run, will not concentrate in their work and this anomic state resembles Marx’s theory of alienation (estrangement). They will feel detached from the physical environment and thus they will not have any sense of belonging.
In the following paragraph, you have laid emphasis on the benefits of e-learning. However you did not mention how the child eventually becomes “independent”. Furthermore, you have only mentioned the main ideas but you have not elaborated on them.
The last paragraph of your critical analysis indicates your original thinking and your conclusion gives an air of finality. It has also been noted that you have the preventive measures while using the multi-media learning.
For most of us the term learning most often implies books books and books!!!
ReplyDeleteThe Activity Base Learning has completely change this point of view on the term 'learning'. It describes a range of pedagogical approach to teaching. Since this new generation is completely at ease with computers and electronic devices, this kind of learning can even be quite fun for many of us. It is a new world much more appropriate for us. With activity base learning,people can become more interactive and the technique 'learning by heart' that most of us has used with books is no more useful. But what Daniel Schneider has said in one of his presentation in Mauritius is also true. The mode of learning does not guarantee automatic results. The teacher was not the same "know-it-all" version that we are accustomed to but mainly with a redefined role mainly that of a facilitator, orchestrator and manager of pedagogical scenarios.
So even though The ABL's benefits are obvious, still the role of teachers should not be neglected as they have been here for long.
@Mehfooz
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. Its is a activity based learning is a revolutionised way of teaching and learnig but the role of a tearcher still remain crucial since they have been the only way of teaching for long!!
In our modern world, the Internet has become an indispensable tool in the educational field. The VCILT promotes learning through the concept of activity based learning whereby the students face ‘a number of learning scenarios’. This form of education is becoming more and more popular in Mauritius which can create a certain form of scepticism among some of those concerned.
ReplyDeleteThis pedagogical concept questions the new roles of teachers in the learning process of students. The teacher-student relationship in a traditional classroom disappears and therefore the way knowledge is transmitted is transformed. The student is alone in front of his personal computer and can only rely on the information provided to him and on his secondary readings. This learning situation might develop a sense of ‘entrepreneurship in students’ and also help them in the creation of independent learning. The student might feel more comfortable to learn at his own pace. I think that the role of a university is to encourage students to think and learn independently, so this concept might be a support to this objective.
In the article it is argued that this form of education can encourage ‘spoon feeding’ as all the information is displayed and students just have to collect them. I do not agree with this point because I think that the student is the one who will make use of this information in a conclusive manner. He is the one to make good use of it. Another important point concerns the role of teachers. The teacher remains an important figure in the learning process. So I think that now he looks more like a monitor or coach rather than a ‘spoon feeder’. Through this new pedagogical form the teacher will respond to queries of his students. Still there are doubts about whether the tutor alone will be able to manage the increasing amount of students who wish to enroll on his course, or will quality education be delivered.
We are living in fast-moving world where technologies are becoming part of our everyday life. So I think that making the process of learning acquisition link to technologies such as the Internet is inevitable. As the article points out, in order to make this form of education a success, students as well as teachers should be responsible in their way of managing their activities. This is a new way of viewing education and I think that by providing such pedagogical concept, the University Of Mauritius proves to be a modern one which does not limit its efforts in providing knowledge to its students.
Activity-based learning or ABL describes a range of pedagogical approaches to teaching. Its core premises include the requirement that learning should be based on doing some hands-on experiments and activities. The idea of activity-based learning is rooted in the common notion that children are active learners rather than passive recipients of information. If child is provided the opportunity to explore by their own and provided an optimum learning environment then the learning becomes joyful and long-lasting.The aim of Activity-Based Learning (ABL) is to change the teacher from an authority in knowledge to a facilitator for the student to discover knowledge. When anyone experiences interest in something, whether it is a subject, sport or activity, nothing will stop him or her from learning all they can about it. Academic subjects can also be introduced from an interesting perspective, where fun is a gateway for learning.
ReplyDeleteActivity-based learning is the acquirement of schematic concepts through activities that involve the task or concept to be learned. Activity-based learning fits very nicely into student-centered environments because students are learning to read and write through their own active involvement in the process, but it doesn’t stop there. Activity-based learning also refers to the teacher interweaving something essentially boring with an activity that engages students and allows them to get excited about what they are doing. For instance, in a third grade classroom, learning how to divide whole numbers into fractions through the teacher conducting a demonstration on the whiteboard would be an utterly hopeless event—nobody would learn how to divide whole numbers into fractions.
ReplyDeleteStudents are able of learning by carrying their own research as the internet has very wide source of information and through mistakes but activities and projects alone are not sufficient for effective learning to take place. The need for a teacher is very important as he acts as a mentor to clarify any doubt that the students may have. Activity based learning works efficiently only in small group of student. With large pool of student the teacher losses the element of control.
ReplyDeleteLearning has the main objective to make a student understand something. This is why activity is very important in this process this makes a student to understand more easily and quickly. He would have to research from internet for works making him/her learn more and understand. The student will become independent prepares his/her notes.
ReplyDeleteThe article entitled ‘Activity-Based learning’ provides a debate of e-learning within the unfolding paragraphs. It highlights the importance of activity-based learning over “paper based manuals”. In other words it means the former is replacing the latter.
ReplyDeleteThe role of a teacher is highlighted in this article. The word “orchestrator” is used figuratively. The teacher is compared to person who does researches and arranges the notes coherently. He prepares the students academically. He/ She is a teacher whose education is limited to certificates only. In the long run, the students are prepared for the competitive labor market.
He is not like the spiritual teacher in the Vedas and Upanishads where the latter is compared to “death” (because he kills the animalistic instincts in us) and “milk” (because he showers spiritual knowledge).
The e-learning system is bureaucratic. It relies on the person’s rationality and original thinking. For instance, the “spoonfeeding” the technique restricts them to academic qualifications which are passport for the job market. As a “facilitator” the teacher can simplify the notes. Nevertheless, it is a one-way process and very often, it lacks in depth analysis.
The last part of the article illustrates the nature of the modern students. For instance, the phrase
“(…) students need to also understand their new responsibilities and tasks”
denotes that students nowadays have the ability to differentiate between right and wrong. It helps to broaden one’s outlook and it helps them to become dutiful. The child should be innovative and creative in his/her way of thinking. With the help of his/ her “methods of inquiries” and “information research”, he/ she can comprehend and respects one’s background, culture, traditions and religions. With e-learning, people can easily adjust themselves to the rapid changes of modern times. For example, the entrepreneurship culture which signifies “more autonomy, development of self-management (…) and work rate”.
But, I think that along with advantages e-learning has some drawbacks also. They are as follows:
• Metaphorically, e-learning has ‘colonized’ them. Before independence, the white was colonizing or dominating the blacks. Even today, the white has an upper-hand over the blacks sine internet is invented by white people. Therefore, people gather information from a eurocentrist perspective. The data in the computer can be biased.
• Very often, e-learning remains a utopian space of equality. The idea that it is freer place is false to a certain degree. For instance, many people who communicate with others through internet deliberately change heir profile to sound more attractive. This altered identity is an illusion.
Hi Busawon
ReplyDeleteIn the 1st paragraph of your article, you have mentioned the disadvantages of the spoon feeding technique. Moreover, I agree with you that the spoon feeding process undoubtedly hinders the self-development of a person. This type of learning is monotonous. You have rightly pointed out that “teachers must no longer be like mothers who keep on feeding their babies.” The students, in the long run, will not concentrate in their work and this anomic state resembles Marx’s theory of alienation (estrangement). They will feel detached from the physical environment and thus they will not have any sense of belonging.
In the following paragraph, you have laid emphasis on the benefits of e-learning. However you did not mention how the child eventually becomes “independent”. Furthermore, you have only mentioned the main ideas but you have not elaborated on them.
The last paragraph of your critical analysis indicates your original thinking and your conclusion gives an air of finality. It has also been noted that you have the preventive measures while using the multi-media learning.
The aim of Activity-Based Learning (ABL) is to change the teacher from an authority in knowledge to a facilitator for the student to discover knowledge. When anyone experiences interest in something, whether it is a subject, sport or activity, nothing will stop him or her from learning all they can about it. Academic subjects can also be introduced from an interesting perspective, where fun is a gateway for learning.
ReplyDeleteThe teacher changes from authority to facilitator by finding ways to present a syllabus that is based on fun. Many types of games and activities can be modified for school use and once children understand and enjoy the games, they will create games for themselves and other classes. Whether through play or through games created for learning, children automatically remember the subject involved. Just because children and teachers are enjoying the games does not mean that the subject matter gets lost; on the contrary, the subject matter is the starting point.
Activity-based learning is a component of an inquiry-based approach to learning. In this approach, students create knowledge and understanding through learning activities built around intellectual inquiry and a high degree of engagement with meaningful tasks. Within the context of this inquiry-based approach, activities take the role traditionally afforded to assessments such as tests and quizzes. Activities are designed to allow students with a variety of different learning styles to demonstrate their acquired knowledge. Therefore, a well designed Activity-based learning activity is one which addresses different student learning styles and which does not assume that all students can demonstrate their knowledge in a single, standard, way.
A classic activity-based learning activity usually involves 4 basic elements: (1) an extended time frame; (2) collaboration; (3) inquiry, investigation, and research; and finally, (4) the construction of an artifact or performance of a consequential task. Within this basic framework, students and teachers can adapt activities to showcase and assess understand.
Activity-based learning has proved to be be a very good teaching skills amongst students in primary school especially children of standard 4 in Mauritius.The Honorable Minister of education Mr Vasant Bunwaree has adopted this new way of teaching in primary school, giving more importance to activity-based learning than just learning by heart everyday and in private tuition.That why he prevented teacher from giving private tuition and he added 45 minuted extra time three times a week so that the student could do some extra curricular activities to increase their knowledge.This has really proved to be a very good and fruitful initiative that the the ministry of education have done during the last few decades.
@Pooja
ReplyDeleteHello Pooja, well i do agree with what you said above that learning can not be solely be academic that is students should not always focus only on their books and homework, their should be a time where students do have to do some self-learning and doing some activity-based learning activities to increase their knowledge.Activity-based learning helps the person to be more interactive, more extrovert, develop the sense of responsibility.I also think that activity-based learning helps a lot in the development of the personality of students and it also encourages the creative thinking of children.
Activity based learning is a concept that should be greatly used and implemented in the educational system. To give you a simple example, it is just like driving a car. Before getting our driving license, we had to pass 2 tests: the theoretical and the practical one. Did you know how to drive just by passing the theoretical test? Obviously not! Well, just to give you an idea that we learn by putting theory into practice, just like in driving a car. However this does not mean that we should leave the student all alone and let him/her to sort out the problem by himself/herself. The teacher must eventually play the role of the monitor, the one that will show the student how to sort the problem. He will be the one who will show the student the methods to achieve the desired results. It is just like in a laboratory full of equipment and some may be dangerous. The teacher will show the student the way to achieving the results that he wants or even assess him if he is wrongly doing the task. Activity based learning is also a good way to make learning an enriching experience. Reading manuals, memorizing everything for examinations and obviously forgetting everything in one day is quite famous in our educational system. Well, I think that is where the activity based learning plays a fundamental role. Instead of just giving the students all the notes they need, teacher can motivate them on looking for their own notes and sharing them with their friends in the class. Obviously, this step should be carefully planned. Education should be a sharing of knowledge not just spoon feeding the students. This should be implemented in the early years of schooling. For example, instead of just showing the kids how to add or subtract fractions, the teacher can bring about a new method of sorting out the problem – bring a cheesecake and divide it into fractions and show the kids how to do addition or subtraction.
ReplyDelete@brian
ReplyDeleteHello Brian, well I do agree that activity based learning make the topic discussed in class more enthusiastic rather than the usual boring type of atmosphere. However, for example if the same work is given to the student but in a twisted way, he or she may be unable to cope with it as he/she is usually under the monitor of the teacher .that is why I think that sometimes in a while the student should be left on his/her own to sort out the problem if there is no danger like in a laboratory.
The goal of activity-based learning is for learners to construct mental models that
ReplyDeleteallow for 'higher-order' performance such as applied problem solving and transfer of
information and skills. It gives the student the possibility to do his own research and learn through his mistakes. It helps the student develop his critical and analytical skills and competencies. Teacher’s roles have changed from the typical ‘know- it- all’ to a facilitator. It offers solutions to two major problems: multi-grade classes and inadequate staffing. It provides the learning material for several students to be working on, while the teacher is busy with one group. Activity-based learning appears to be a system where the teacher can facilitate learning, without dominating the classroom or intimidating the children. Since the student learns in a self-directed way, from the systematic materials provided, teacher absence or occasional unavailability may not be a tragedy.
However activity based learning works effectively and efficiently only in small group of students. Therefore, we can conclude that teachers play a vital role for the students without overdoing their role but e-learning is allowing students to see education from a new point of view.
@ jenna
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with what you said on activity-based learning. I think that, as you said, knowledge should be discovered. Teachers should be able to attract the attention of their students by making their classes fun. Once the student has interest in it, he becomes curious about things. Thus it facilitates learning and the lesson is easily remembered. It is based on an inquiry-based learning. The students learn by doing their own research.
Activity based instruction is the form of learning where the learner is actively engaged in a task. The focus is on making the abstract concrete and on learning by doing. It can be teacher-driven - with direction from an instructor - or learner-driven with the learner having freedom to explore.
ReplyDeleteSome of the main advantages are:
1. Activity based instruction appeals to those who enjoy learning through doing. However, not all learners are active learners. Some learners are more reflective and like to observe, while others enjoy theorizing and thinking about concepts without any practical work. But it does work for those who are actively inclined.
2. Activity based learning can be fun and motivate those students who are used to everything being entertaining, exciting, instantly gratifying and easy and who would otherwise be lost because of their poor attitude.
3. Activity based learning does give the child scope for independent learning and exploring something on their own without direction from a teacher.
However, there are a few disadvantages as well.
1. Activity is just part of learning. Without reflecting on the activity; thinking about it in certain ways to make a theory; testing that theory again etc. the active learning will have very little lasting value. There will be activity but nothing particular gained from it. Active learning should be balanced with other less concrete experiences.
2. Young learners can totally loose the point of the exercise and not gain anything from it. For example, using paints to make a chart to supposedly learn about graphing can degenerate to a painting exercise where the child simply thinks they are making a picture. The exercise is too much like play and the child does not realize they are meant to be doing something totally different.
3. Active learning can become very trivial for advanced learners. When a concept is understood and the learner is ready to move on it would be very tedious and time consuming to do some practical activity based around the concept. Comprehension of the concept can be tested in more efficient ways and the learner spared the hassle associated with lengthy practical exercises.
4. Focusing on activity to make learning fun can actually hamper those students who would make good progress without it. Those more able learners can also come to believe that all learning should be fun and be hampered in their attitude for tackling more difficult advanced matter that does not so easily render itself to being made into an "activity".
5. Much advanced matter is abstract and does not lend itself to activity. The learner may be limited in their learning pathway because of being directed towards more practical elements of knowledge and applications of theories rather than the development of raw theories in themselves.
Therefore, it can be seen that activity base learning is a double-edged saw and have to be use with caution.
The first problem that has been noticed is that of ‘spoonfeeding’. Learners have the tendancy to produce a similar set of answers and therefore it is necessary to have semi-structured learning activities. The argument about learners expressing their views helps a lot and gives a better idea to the teacher about their students and call easily find a solution to their problem.
ReplyDeleteThe role of the teacher is more complex than the primitive way of teaching in class and writing on the board. With an increasing number of students, it becomes more complex to give special attention to students.
Activity based learning is undoubtedly a very good practice because normally what happens in classrooms is passive listening. Sometimes students themselves are not sure whether they have understood something rightly or not. Learning by doing or other types of ABL however reduces this problem and truly what is the use of learning something theoretically when you’re unable to put it in practice.
ReplyDeleteBut as mentioned in the article, ABL requires dedication from the facilitator, proper planning and good time management. Also, ABL works better with a small group of students which is quite rare nowadays with the increasing number of students. Having a large group will be tougher for the teacher and may penalize some students.
Distance learning is quite an effective way of learning and among all the advantages it has, one more advantage is that students may send their queries directly to the teacher because many are afraid to ask questions in front of a whole class fearing that they may sound silly and be laughed at. As a result they questions remain uncleared.
Many students are at ease with computers however many does not mean all. There still exist some students who are either not very at ease with a computer or do not have easy access to internet as internet access is quite expensive. Such students may be able ones but they are somehow penalized. Moreover, having a face to face interaction with the teacher is way better than sending your queries by email and waiting for the answer. In some cases it may also happen that the student fails to understand what the teacher is trying to explain in the mail and feels hesitant to send a second one.
I personally believe that having a teacher in front of a class is still very important for proper learning to take place BUT the teacher must be a qualified one.
Activity-based learning allows learners to work independently, thereby demonstrating their own capability. they tend to increase their kowledge with their curiosity being dug instead of just relying on teachers.
ReplyDeleteHowever, it can prove to be a disadvantage to learners as they tend to lack guidance in case of difficult situations.
@ yadav:
ReplyDeletei totally agree with you as spoonfeeding is really a major problem. Activity based learning is the solution to it as students will be given the opportunity to work on their own basis.
Activity Based Learning (ABL) is about doing rather than listening, about active engagement rather than mindless copying of words and numbers which are often little understood. ABL leads himself naturally and easily to cooperative learning. Group work is common feature of ABL, with different children taking on the tasks which are appropriate to their individual levels. However, ABL has both its pros and cons. As an advantage, ABL can be fun and motivate students who are used to everything being entertaining, exciting and easy. Moreover, students learn independently and exploring something on their own without direction from a teacher. However, the drawbacks are that in this model, students learn by doing rather than watching and hearing. Educators are moving away from extended lessons where children are sitting and listening while not doing much. This type of learning has been proven less effective. Furthermore, in science, children participate in experiments and grow their own bean plants or flowers rather than simply reading from a text about plant life.
ReplyDeleteSo, personally, I think that for ABL to be successful students should have their own interest in it, hence, positive independence is critical. And, as mentioned in the article, teacher should act as a facilitator, orchestrator and manager of the pedagogical scenarios that he elaborates for the students; teachers should no longer spoon-feed students. Also, in this modern world, with the rapid growth in technology ABL is, according to me, more appropriate than the traditional learning process, if we are allocated with enough learning resources. At UOM, VCILT is doing a great job by encouraging the ABL. They had had the visit of high profile researchers and practitioners which is a plus for us.
Activity Based Learning (ABL) is about doing rather than listening, about active engagement rather than mindless copying of words and numbers which are often little understood. ABL leads himself naturally and easily to cooperative learning. Group work is common feature of ABL, with different children taking on the tasks which are appropriate to their individual levels. However, ABL has both its pros and cons. As an advantage, ABL can be fun and motivate students who are used to everything being entertaining, exciting and easy. Moreover, students learn independently and exploring something on their own without direction from a teacher. However, the drawbacks are that in this model, students learn by doing rather than watching and hearing. Educators are moving away from extended lessons where children are sitting and listening while not doing much. This type of learning has been proven less effective. Furthermore, in science, children participate in experiments and grow their own bean plants or flowers rather than simply reading from a text about plant life.
ReplyDeleteSo, personally, I think that for ABL to be successful students should have their own interest in it, hence, positive independence is critical. And, as mentioned in the article, teacher should act as a facilitator, orchestrator and manager of the pedagogical scenarios that he elaborates for the students; teachers should no longer spoon-feed students. Also, in this modern world, with the rapid growth in technology ABL is, according to me, more appropriate than the traditional learning process, if we are allocated with enough learning resources. At UOM, VCILT is doing a great job by encouraging the ABL. They had had the visit of high profile researchers and practitioners which is a plus for us.
@ Rushaa and Ayman
ReplyDeleteI do agree with your point of view; Rushaa mentioned that ‘children will learn more through this approach than if teachers try to force the spoon into their mouth’. While, Ayman mentioned that ‘spoon-feeding prevents the learners from developing personal and critical points of view and also from doing any research work by their own’. But, on the other hand, we find that traditional lectures is beneficial for developing countries or less developed one as it is cost effective and in these countries there might be a lack of learning resources such as; electronic databases or the Internet, so students might have difficulties in their research work.
Hence, spoon-feeding; traditional lectures, would be a great advantage in the developing or less developing countries. However, Activity Based Learning must be encouraged in these countries by the developed one in terms of allocating them with learning resources, ideas, and inspiration and so on.
Activity-based learning fits very nicely into student-centered environments because students are learning to read and write through their own active involvement in the process, but it doesn’t stop there. Activity-based learning also refers to the teacher interweaving something essentially boring with an activity that engages students and allows them to get excited about what they are doing. The activity based learning plays a fundamental role. Instead of just giving the students all the notes they need, teacher can motivate them on looking for their own notes and sharing them with their friends in the class. Obviously, this step should be carefully planned. Education should be a sharing of knowledge not just spoon feeding the students.
ReplyDelete@ Avikesh Rav
ReplyDeleteTo some extend i agree with your views. You mentioned that "ABL to be successful students should have their own interest in it." It is rather true because if students do not show interest in the activity based learning,the whole process is broken. However you think that ABL is better than the traditional learning process. According to me ABL cannot be done at every step of the educational process especially for lower level students like primary kids. At this stage the traditional learning process is better rather than implementing the ABL.
I agree with Maiyshla with the view that today's generation will be more at ease with activity-based learning. This is so because technology related things are not new to youngsters of today. so, they will not have any problem to cope with it and they surely sense that now they are pursuing tertiary education which is no similar to secondary education.
ReplyDeleteIt is true that learning activities can bring about more motivation for a student to learn and retain compared to the usual paper-based manuals. This may encourage them to train their brains and therefore develop their own critical analysis or reasoning.
ReplyDeleteObviously, for this concept to be effective, students need to be well surrounded by qualified teachers. As mentioned in the article, the student should be able to develop his own opinion but also needs the help of a teacher to ensure that he/she is on the right track. I am totally for the redefined role of the teacher, for instance to be the orchestrator, facilitator and manager. This defines that the student is being well-monitored and at the same time able to develop his own judgment. This prevents any ‘spoon feeding’ and obtaining a pre-defined sentence by the student for a specific matter. This is absolutely not the best way of teaching.
E-learning based on activities also helps a student in his/her self-development, likely to become more responsible and independent; notably with the new “educational technologies” module provided. Despite not being specialized in this field, on my part, I will do my best to attempt the different learning activities.
I personally think that activity-based learning is a promising innovative concept but the presence of a teacher is inevitable to make it effective.
According to me. activity based learning is indeed a very interesting type of learning. Activity-based learning allows the learner to build up a mental model of whatever information he/she could grasp. Such ways of learning can stay for a whole lifetime. ABL provides many advantages, which are mainly; (1) Learning by doing (2) Develop reasoning skills (3) Build up creative ideas and knowledge (4) Socialise with others (5) Personality development.
ReplyDelete@ Me, I think are completely right as it is the best way to stop the “spoon feeding” and as student are given the chance to look, search and acknowledge more information by themselves. The become more responsible as you mention. If you learn something by yourself you tend to remember it easily as you know the effort and time you spent in searching and learning this particular information.
ReplyDeleteMy parents often say that today’s classrooms are completely different from when they were at school and one major difference may be said to be the transition to Activity-based learning or ABL. This involves doing or fully participating rather than simply listening and watching to the instructor without really understanding what we are being told or expected to learn. In fact, the traditional type of teaching has proved to be ineffective compared to the ABL. One example is that learners often drift off and begin to daydream or they become engaged in disruptive behaviour. Either way, one thing definitely isn’t happening; learning. ABL is a livelier way of teaching and since the learners are more involved and are encouraged to participate in class, they are able to understand and grasp lectures better. Some other benefits of the ABL are that students are so engaged that abstract concepts become meaningful and concrete to the learner and they display less disruptive behaviours.
ReplyDeleteActivity-based learning is the acquirement of schematic concepts through activities that involve the task or concept to be learned. The old 4-H motto “learn to do by doing” sums up this approach taken on mainly by progressive/develop-mentalist teachers. The approach itself is ancient in form; Socrates himself embraced a method of this approach. He challenged his students to find the answers for themselves through discussion and questioning—the same concept that serves as a foundation for activity-based learning. ABL fit well into student-centered environment as it is a way to learn through their own involvement. And it is a good initiative to encourage students to be more creative but while learning also.
ReplyDelete