Environment vs. Instruction

Article Review

“Researchers provide more insight into how humans learn”

Read More: http://thetartan.org/2011/11/21/scitech/learning

The debate that persists amongst environment based learning and instructional is under further investigation to determine which has the greatest neural association. Though the research to determine independent results from both methods to prove which is the most effective is still in its infancy there is growth in the discovery. As to which is truly better? That is to be determined yet the research is structured to favor instruction rather than research.

Technology in Teaching

 It takes more than just an educator to stimulate the learning of students yet an instructional leader who is not risk averse to incorporating new technologies and innovations in a classroom. The increased efficiency and accessibility for curriculum management and dissemination through the use of technology alters the environment of the educational setting. Those whom are prone to shift their education instruction in conjunction with current advances will capitalize on the benefits. The more technology versed an instructional leader is, the more cognizant he/she is of technologies that do not optimize education. There are a lot of educational technology imposters out there where they falsely advertise their effectiveness that deters less technology savvy teachers. It is a trial-by-error method when discovering which technologies are best suited for education. 

Article Review

"Instructors using virtual campus to complement distance learning"

Read More: http://www.asuherald.com/news/instructors-using-virtual-campus-to-complement-distance-learning-1.2673181#.TsfK9LIYEe0

A history professor at Arkansas University has discovered a technology that he advocates and implements to instruct his classes with. It is in a virtual world classroom setting known as Second Life that has authorized greater opportunities for his history students to travel the world without having to pack a suitcase. This technology is a virtual world that the public uses for personal entertainment that is now being manipulated for educational practices. 

Is this where our education system is heading? It is a great possibility.

The Power of Digital Learners

Article Review

“Revolt of Digital Natives”

Read More: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2011/10/202_97398.html

Digital Natives are cultured at birth to learn and experience in a virtual reality interface when immerged in an environment that thrives off technology advancements. When the population of these Natives becomes prevalent and information disseminators capitalize on the Natives’ preferred technology communication method, the new data becomes viral. This was evident in the Seoul, Korea elections where there “was a showdown between “Digital Natives,” namely young people comfortable in using new media technology, including Twitter and Facebook, and Digital “Immigrants,” namely those in the 50s and 60s who are struggling in using them”. (The Korea Times, 2011) This article is proof of the divergence in not only the types of learners that are now in classroom settings yet the methods of information that the Digital Natives hold power to. I am sure future elections will pose an increase of technology used for media consumption.

The Seven Principles for Good Practice in Higher Education

Best practices used in education amongst students and teachers are a vital component to ensuring the established Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education are optimized. Higher education’s faculty members are the liaison between student and curriculum progression yet there are other administrators and facilitators who are vital towards the overall educational objective.  The Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education was developed to not be limited in scope where its application could “reach campus administrators, state higher education agencies, and governmental policymakers”. (Garnson, 1991) The staff and personnel of a college are also crucial to student development and retention through the various phases of their education.

Article Review

“Admissions Practices Fail to Meet the Needs of Students at Private Sector Higher Education Institutions, Study Finds”

Read More: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/admissions-practices-fail-to-meet-the-needs-of-students-at-private-sector-higher-education-institutions-study-finds-2011-11-02

Private universities and schools were observed by a management software company known as Leads360 for their good practice in the admission of students. Technology has increased the accessibility for recruiting future students yet most institutions lack the capacity to sustain the influx requests that the delays in response usually implies the loss of business from that student. The opposite is also true when the schools recruitment techniques are to solicit perspective students with the use of technology. There has to be equilibrium between the extremes of attaining students at a higher quality. The relationship with the student begins with the administrative staff where the principles that govern the curriculum should be translated towards all educational staff that directly and indirectly impact student advancement. The Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education allow for a homogenous approach towards the anticipation for student production where it be in their academics or administrative obligations to pursue their academics.

Other Resources: http://moodle.uas.arizona.edu/file.php/68/seven_practices_history.pdf

Bloom's Taxonomy to Assist Research

Article Review

“Ask the Experts: Lori Smolleck on improving science education through inquiry-based teaching”

Read More: http://www.bucknell.edu/x72343.xml

Bloom’s taxonomy is an instructional reference to confirm all applicable levels of cognitive development are being realized in accordance with the curriculum’s trajectory.  The intellectual progressions that occur within an instructional setting are identified through the established six ascending cognizance stages. The value earned from this model is exemplified in Lori Smolleck’s, assistant professor at Bucknell University, research regarding “how gender stereotypes are perpetuated by pre-service teachers — that is, students who are working toward becoming teachers”. (http://www.bucknell.edu/x72343.xml) The student’s development of thought was determined based on the “higher order thinking skills in science classroom”. ( http://www.bucknell.edu/x72343.xml ) The triangle diagram illustrates “learning through a set of concepts that begin with lower order thinking skills (LOTS) and build to higher order thinking skills (HOTS)” that are stratified by the next incremental cognitive advancement. (http://www.openeducation.net/2008/04/11/blooms-taxonomy-and-the-digital-world/ ) The validity of Lori’s study was sustained based off their observations of “each question the pre-service teachers asked of their elementary students in relation to the six levels of Bloom's Taxonomy”. ( http://www.bucknell.edu/x72343.xml )