Final Reaction Paper EDT 630

In learning about integrating technology into the classroom, I have found online discussion to be an effective way to learn. The thought required to compose a post on an important aspect of the concept is greater and higher order thinking than many verbal discussions. By analyzing a classmate’s post and the reflection needed to form an appropriate, meaningful response include those higher order thinking skills as well. While this tool is effective, it is also incredibly time consuming. The time required in checking the discussions, keeping up on reading the posts of others and composing my own thoughts has been a surprise.

The flow of the written discussion versus a verbal discussion is also more difficult to me. Because I am new to the online discussion format, I find following the discussion more difficult. Ideally the text-based discussion would condense the social exchange of ideas and make learning more effective. The difficulty of missing the intonation and other non-verbal cues such as body language and facial expression also hinders my understanding of my peers’ posts. I have also found that there is much redundancy in the online discussion that is less than helpful. At times the discussion seems to revolve around the same concepts and as a class we have had difficulty branching farther into the content and tended to reiterate points that have been made many times.

I appreciate the discussion rules and do think they are necessary. For one, they define the task for the class. Also, they help set constraints that state a modicum of formality and professionalism expected in the discussion. The discussion rules in this course helped to encourage cohorts to evaluate and give constructive criticism to each other’s work rather than merely affirm the positive aspects of each person’s work. Having stated rules also helps students not take constructive criticism personally, but use it to the betterment of their learning and their project.

 I find it helpful for the instructor to post within the class discussion as a means to either affirm an important point or broaden the discussion beyond the realm of where the students are going with the discussion. I think the use of questions, comments and statements are all helpful in facilitating the online discussion.

Social Constructivism

Social Constructivist Learning Theory


Where Piaget argued that knowledge is aquired in proportion to the developmental stage within the individual child, social constructivists view knowledge as being formed through social exchange. The social exchange requires the individual thinker to exchange ideas with others. Through this social exchange with peers or more knowledgable adults, internal ideas are transformed through external exchange and then internalized as more developed ideas or knowledge.
We have participated in online discussions as the tool through which we each express ideas, respond to the ideas of others and develop knowledge. The advantage of the written form of communication is the thoroughness and thought required to write my own post, read and understand the thoughts of others and modify my own ideas based on what I learn. It is especially helpful to be able to look back at helpful exchanges and re-internalize the ideas. Where a verbal exchange or conversation would occur more quickly and have far less accurate record (even if notes or minutes are recorded), the flow of a verbal exchange face to face personally feels more natural. The online discussion is new territory for me, and the flow feels less familiar and is at times more difficult to follow. I also miss the information gained from non-verbal cues such as tone or facial expression. The online format, however, does focus far more on the content and is much less likely to be misdirected by an individual's opinion. The opinion or ideas of each participant are valued and stated; respect and consideration are given to each post. While I am less familiar with this process I have learned a great deal from it.

Social Constructivist Learning Theory


Where Piaget argued that knowledge is aquired in proportion to the developmental stage within the individual child, social constructivists view knowledge as being formed through social exchange. The social exchange requires the individual thinker to exchange ideas with others. Through this social exchange with peers or more knowledgable adults, internal ideas are transformed through external exchange and then internalized as more developed ideas or knowledge.
We have participated in online discussions as the tool through which we each express ideas, respond to the ideas of others and develop knowledge. The advantage of the written form of communication is the thoroughness and thought required to write my own post, read and understand the thoughts of others and modify my own ideas based on what I learn. It is especially helpful to be able to look back at helpful exchanges and re-internalize the ideas. Where a verbal exchange or conversation would occur more quickly and have far less accurate record (even if notes or minutes are recorded), the flow of a verbal exchange face to face personally feels more natural. The online discussion is new territory for me, and the flow feels less familiar and is at times more difficult to follow. I also miss the information gained from non-verbal cues such as tone or facial expression. The online format, however, does focus far more on the content and is much less likely to be misdirected by an individual's opinion. The opinion or ideas of each participant are valued and stated; respect and consideration are given to each post. While I am less familiar with this process I have learned a great deal from it.

First Day of Class
Reflective Learning Blog
EDT 630
Fall 2012

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