Session 3 (20/1)

For this session, we're supposed to work on pedagogical approaches to promote engaged learning and to outline a draft lesson plan that makes use of those approaches while integrating one or more forms of ICT to promote engaged learning.

Have you come across any of the pedagogical approaches as a student? What was your experience like?

Personally as a student, I have come across several pedagogical approaches before. Particularly

• Project-Based Learning
• Problem-Based Learning
• Knowledge Building
• Case-Based Learning

from Engaging ICT practices for teachers.

I'll talk about Project-Based learning, since that's one pedagogical approach which have more influence on me compared to the others as I first start to experience it in Secondary School. In terms of the overall project objective, it's relatively the same for all the projects that I've done, which is to engage and enhance students in terms of research, critical thinking, analysing skills etc, to gain something from the project as well as to produce a final product that can benefit the society for example. From what I know, the projects are often based on real-world situations as they are realistic, practical and can allow students to tap on their prior knowledge. Indeed, it was rather engaging for me, though not always fun depending on how the teacher facilitated and organised certain activities and also my personal interests/preferences. Deep thinking is definitely required as we were supposed to think of solutions for a global problem for instance. There is also a lot of research to do. Most of the time, I will do research online as it was more convenient. It is only after I've joined NIE that I read books rather than go online for information as online information lose out in credibility compared to books. Very often, since it's project-based and we're all working in groups, there are many different views from other group members. There's always a need to analyse and think through all the ideas presented to decide which ideas are most suitable. Besides the important skills, I also learnt that communication is a vital tool in every project. In my opninion, project-based learning is a very effective pedagogical approach (provided that the teacher has planned well in everything) although it takes up quite some time till completion. At the end, students will not only have a more rounded idea of their research topic and would have gained a lot of insights from it. Besides, by tapping on their prior knowledge (if applicable), they will build up on what they already know, relate more to the project topic, and will gain more than what the others do.

What do you think is the relationship of these approaches?

I think should a teacher apply all these approaches in class, the students would have a very all-rounded and engaging education. (However, this is not really necessary since each approach is already quite enough for each student.) There are common factors in all the approaches. For instance, a make-real situation or simulated learning environment would be created for students to anaslyse, generate ideas etc. Students have to extract key ideas from the learning issues, think of solutions, engage in critical thinking and discussions with friends to build up knowledge and to share their views. Scaffolding from teachers' part would very often not be left out so as to guide the students and give them necessary aid should there be a need. These approaches also focuses on building up students' analysing, evaluation, investigation, synthesizing, comparision, communicating skills and critical thinking to name a few.

What roles do the various ICT tools/interactive resources play in these approaches?

The ICT tools used most of the time are Microsoft Powerpoint (provided it's applicable in this case), tools like MixedInk or any online discussion forums, and youtube videos.

These tools provide the platform for students to discuss, share and present their ideas to the rest of the class. As students critique their friends' ideas for example, they are also taking in knowledge from another view, nevermind if they accept it or not. MixedInk is a suitable tool for group writing since it's a collaborative writing tool. Students can make use of it to maybe do up their project reflection. Youtube videos can be used to either gather information or to add colours and supporting evidence for their projects. Another way Youtube can play a part is that teachers can get students to record an ending video on their end result and post it on youtube to share with everybody on top of doing a presentation in front of the class.

Generally, this session provides quite a number of ideas for my teaching in future.