Activity 1: Be a Theorist
View one of the videos on the problem based learning classroom. Pretend that you are one of the key theorists and analyze in what ways does this lesson align with your theory. Your response should include 3-4 ways that the lesson aligns or does not align with your theory. Would you support what is going on in this classroom?
- Vygotsky-Believed that children are capable of
solving complex problems through the support of a more knowledgeable other and
scaffolding. The more knowledgeable other supports the learner through their
knowledge, resources, templates and guides, or coaching.- Vygotsky’s
perspective
- Dewey-also did not directly support problem-based learning, but his theories support learning through experience. He also believed tha students are naturally curious and learn best through investigations of their world. He stated: methods which are permanently successful in formal education … go back to the type of situation which causes reflection out of school I ordinary life. They give pupils something to do, not something to learn; and the doing is of such a nature as to demand thinking, or the intentional noting of connections; learning naturally results.- Learning through experience
- Howard Barrows- could be considered the originator of problem-based learning as we know it. As a member of the faculty at McMaster University Medical School in the 1960s, Barrows noticed how disenchanted medical students were with their education. They complained about having to learn large quantities of information that they thought had little relation to their practice of medicine. Barrows felt that medical education should emulate their that of a reasoned prcctitioner. Students should be given patients, data including x-rays, lab results, and other reports and should attempt to diagnose and treat the patient. In the process, they would identify weaknesses and come up with a plan for resolving their deficiencies. Through this process, barrows hoped that students should be better able to diagnose and treat illnesses. – problem-based instruction
- David Jonassen- is an instructional technolody professor at the university of Missouri and director of the center fo the study or problem-solving. He has written extensively not only on He has written extensively not only on problem-solving learning environments, but also on how to use technology to enhance student problem-solving skills. It is his belief that students use cognitive tools such as mind-mapping software, spreadsheets, Internet search engines and online forums to gather information to solve problems. His study of Problem-based Learning also led to a typology of problem types.
Activity 2: Integrating Technology
You have been given a small grant of $10,000 to buy new technologies from a local organization interested in improving education through PBL. What will you buy and why? Your response should include at least 3 citations from the Wall & Harding reading. A couple of provisos….the going state rate for the new iPads with 32 gigs of memory is $456
