Applying Digital Tools in a Pedagogically Meaningful Way
Meaningful Learning refers to a learning way where the new knowledge to acquire is related with previous knowledge (Ausubel 2000).
Within the cognitive theory of learning, based on the theory of human information processing, the 3 core processes of learning are:
- How knowledge is developed;
- How new knowledge is integrated into an existing cognitive system; and
- How knowledge becomes automatic.
Ausubel (1967:10) focused on meaningful learning, as "a clearly articulated and precisely differentiated conscious experience that emerges when potentially meaningful signs, symbols, concepts, or propositions are related to and incorporated within a given individual's cognitive structure".
Based on this concept we can use digital tools to enhance the engagement and motivation in the learning process. With these tools we can verify and teach the skills and the competencies required from the students.
For example, the group chose one digital tool to motivate student participation and sharing of their prior knowledge about one subject:
- Observe the pictures of the city of Dubai. There have been huge transformations in the past 28 years. This transformations changed the economy of Dubai.
We created a fast survey using the service of www.directpoll.com. After observing the photo students should answer the question posted bel.
After viewing the results on the link: http://directpoll.com/r?XDbzPBd3ixYqg8gJLsiF8lsdc3wOETrWwVBbmQtS0
We can introduce the case of the island in Tatuoca, Pernambuco state, in Brazil where an island was reconstructed due to the construction of a shipyard. For collecting ideas and creating a learning diary of the students progress we chose the application provided by www.padlet.com
Using the link: https://padlet.com/rosangela_melo/bookmarks students can see some pictures and a movie about Tatuoca island, and post ideas about positive and negative impact about the construction of a shipyard in a natural island.
For demonstrating the learning achieved we use two tools to demonstrate, register and give feedback of their activities. At this point students should create small groups (3-5 sutdents) and make presentations using tools such as www.prezi.com to show the conclusions of their work. Using www.blogger.com students shoud publish the links to their presentations and give at least one positive comment on each other group presentation.
Conclusions:
At first we decided to use free digital tools. This decision was important because everyone can use it in anywhere and don’t need pay for it. Another important issue is that our students are producing knowledge and making it available on the internet for others to see and share.
We used the directpoll.com to investigate the prior knowledge of the students. With this tools is possible to make direct questions and with the answers we can have a perception of the class' understanding. It’s so important for the learning process because we can focus on the skills that the students have and which they have to improve in order to achieve the competences required.
In the second phase we decided to use the Padlet. For us, it was used to do a brainstorming and a learn diary for they see their evolution. With Padlet we can let students speak freely and without the pressure of exposing their ideas directly to their colleagues.
With Prezi tool you can create presentations on an unique physical structure. In this tool is possible to insert figures in different formats [e.g. JPG, TIF, GIF], videos and sounds. Prezi also allows making presentations for the use in web, and download this material.
One important part of the learning process is the guidance provided by the teacher. With the use of digital tools we can document, evaluate and orient all the development of the students' work.
At the final stage, where they post their results, the blogger tool unite the groups material and allows them to give feedback on others work. It is also used by the teacher to give them feedback on their activities.
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