How does CoTF promote student-centered learning?
My visit to the CoTF was a refreshing & eye opening one. But overall, I felt that I was in some high-tech planet. I’ll agree that it’ll take at least a decade before such a 360-degree change takes place. Nevertheless there were still some learning points observed.
The high tech cafe definately alllows seamless exchange of information & interaction among friends using that tablet PC. The “magic” table, which allows users to share stuffs on their own tablet PC with others, will promote collaboration & exchange of ideas, making learning all the more student centric.But what if students clog up the cafe when they sit there for hours? There are still adults patrons who would still prefer a sip of latte plus a bite of cheesecake minus the technology . On the other hand, what if the students still prefer the comfort of home and the technology becomes underutilized?
Regarding the MRT, a swipe of the tablet PC can expose the student to a pool of resources like music, & an array of information to do their research. But I feel this is needless, as by the time the nation becomes wireless, they can always get such information and resources anywhere & anytime.
The biology lab looks fascinating to me because it allows the students to interact and ask questions, with, lets say, a professor or an expert. This surely cannot be a permanent installment as how often can the professor commit himself to the students. No doubt lessons will be student centred because it will make the student more keen to learn especially with their queries being answered in real time. If all bio students from all bio classes in all secondary schools and junior colleges were to use this technology, how many professors and experts do we need? Maybe such utilizations should be used for certain topics only.
I like the classroom where the atmosphere is relaxed and arrangements very flexible. Even the walls are utilized so that students are not stucked to the screen in front to listen to the teacher. Marking attendences & submitting of test and assignments are instantaneous, so that the teacher can concurrently control the class and observe their progress. And since results are immediate learning learning can be sped up.
The home system with video conferencing is definately not an immediate use. After a day of cyber discussions in the cafe and keenly searching for information in the MRT and discussing with an international professional vet on disection of frogs, its about time the students get some rest and family time at home.
In a nutshell, CoTF offers an attractive learning culture, as it makes use of technology to make learning more convenient, fun & interactive for students. More importantly lessons are no longer centred around the teacher. From what i forsee, it could signal the end of fixed school timing. Since everything is wirelessly interconnected and discussions could be done anywhere at anytime, not to mention assignments can be submitted electronically plus the added value of video conferencing, there is a possiblity that students (and teachers) only need to physically come to school for CCA’s, hands-on lab sessions and major exams.
Hi Aiman,
You mentioned that “The biology lab looks fascinating to me because it allows the students to interact and ask questions, with, lets say, a professor or an expert”. Who is constructing knowledge when the professor or expert answers the students’ questions?
The students are in the first place discussing among themselves in a particular biology topic. This is in line with what Vygotsky had suggested; the level of development attained by the child depends on their social behaviour and interaction.
Vygotsky also agrees that their range of skills attained, due to adult intervention and peer collaboration, will be more, as compared to doing it on his or her own. Since peer collaboration is already present when they are discussing the topic among themselves, an occasional prompting and guidance from the professor or expert would complete the range of skills attained. This will not be a daily routine and will not comprise of all topics, but only a handful. Thus most of the time, it is still the students who are constructing their own knowledge.
In the MKO (more knowledgable other) concept, where the learner interacts with someone of higher understanding and ability, w.r.t. a process/task/concept, that someone need not be restricted only to peers, but can also be a teacher/professor/scientist or even an electronic support system.