Constructivist and social constructivist approaches to teaching and learning imply accepting there are other ways to teach and learn.
The behaviourist model, most of us in Argentina have been educated in, has helped some and mistreated others. No doubt, ideas from behaviourism proved to be useful and, thus, are still alive today, such as lesson units and learning objectives. However, with more humanistic and social approaches in recent decades, new things came up and soon proved to be as effective or more than the ones accepted as the norm.
New insights from neuroscience, psychology, and linguistics broadened the horizon of educators. However, many years of behaviourism have resulted in strong beliefs among thousands of teachers and politicians whose educational beliefs reflect the old paradigm.
Therefore, it is not simple enough by starting to use this or another approach; or strategies alternative to what has been used for years. It is a new paradigm that has to build upon another, looking at the bright sides and the dark sides of both.
Change is starting to occur in Argentina from novice teachers, who encouraged by the possibilities of ICT, are starting to work more collaboratively. Language learning is designed in sequences of communicative, problem-solving tasks, which offer different levels of complexity to match the cognitive development of the students.
Cheers,
Gonzalo :-)
Hi Gonzalo,
ReplyDeleteWhatever part of the world, we all feel that the traditional educational paradigm is changing. The 21st-century learner needs flexibility, independence, and self-discipline.
It is good that, as you write, "change is starting to occur in Argentina from novice teachers..."
I think that globally, all spheres of human life are undergoing rapid change nowadays. The whole world is changing. And education, as a rather conservative system, still struggles clinging to the old. I cannot even predict what happens when it no longer stands and collapses. What then? Rebooting or Big Bang?
That was a moment of my fantasy. What I rationally believe in is evolution.
I am sure that we, the participants of Webskills WIKI Summer 2011, have
great opportunities to be tiny parts of the great educational evolution
we are witnessing and making.
Hi Gonzalo,
ReplyDeleteIndeed in this new world collaboration is needed especially with the advent of on-going technology which has facilitated communication, as we all now are connected and live in a world that has become like a small village.
As you know I am Egyptian, and it is technology through Facebook, mobiles and twitter that made the 25th of January become a reality and hopefully, democracy is on its way.
Hello Gonzalo
ReplyDeleteIt seems to be we are being swept up by large forces beyond our control. The changes are coming, whether we embrace them or not. Maybe, we can be on the vanguard of that change, or ride the wave of that change...maybe, possibly we can influence it in a tiny way. I likely overestimate the power of the individual, though.
Interesting ideas you've got us thinking about!
Robert
Hi people,
ReplyDeleteAs I quoated Lennon on one of my previous posts, I am a dreamer!
Gonzalo :-)
Hi Gonzalo, Nice Blog, congrats on it! I am not that used to using blogger yet and I have tried to embed videos in my blog but could not succeed. I saw you have done it. How did you do it. let me know please.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot and looking faward to reading from you soon!
Javier
Hi Javier,
ReplyDeleteYou have to copy the embed code of the video and paste it on the post.
Have a look at this slideshow to learn how to do it:
http://www.slideshare.net/lhuff/embed-video-in-blogger
Cheers,
Gonzlao :-)