Building Community with Technology
Ten strategies for learners to reflect, share, and connect
by Bernie Potvin Phd, Nicki Rehn MEd and David Peat Phd
AMAZON.CA
Effective Learning Environments Do not Happen by Chance
Ten Strategies for Building Community with Technology provides proven strategies developed over the authors’ thirty years’ experience designing and teaching online classes. The ten strategies demonstrate that technology is not an impediment to building a learning community, but instead a tool for designing more effective learning environments than are those in traditional, face-to-face classrooms. Used the right way, technology can provide more instructional time, more opportunities for students to reflect, more chances to share and connect, and more access to give feedback.
BUILDING LEARNING COMMUNITIES
10 Instructional Models
Transmission/Direct Instruction
The model to use when learning content quickly is the goal; if direct instruction is necessary, there are techniques which, when used, lead to higher student engagement and learning.
Nurturing
The model to use when the development of a learner's competencies is the goal; increased competence leads to greater confidence and increased self-efficacy.
Case Study
The model to use when the goal is for learners to analyse particular examples to reveal cause-and-effect relationships; interpretation is valued and the understanding of the lived experiences of others is enhanced.
Guided Discovery
When the goal is for student's to find some idea, principle, notion or concept on their own, use guided discovery.
Apprenticeship
The transfer of learning matters; modified apprenticeships address this need by providing opportunities to work along-side mentors and coaches through work trips, work projects, and "outward boaund" type activities.
Shared Praxis
Shared Praxis is building relationships from course design; opportunities to develop relatioships are woven into learning activities.
Insight-Generating
When learners need a deepening awareness of the importance of choosing ethical actions consistent with their core values, use insight-generating approaches.
Training
Training is used when the goal is shaping behavior; reinforcement, if genuine, specific to a task, appreciatively presented, and scientifically applied, then trust can be deepened and relationships enhanced between the instructor and the learner.
Projects
Use this model when deep learning is the goal; project learning results in students' experientially understanding that there are solutions to problems, answers to questions and better and worse ways to address issues.
Inquiry
The model to use when solving real problems, discussing real issues and addressing real questions; heightened involvement and deeper, more intimate realationships result.
Build Better Relationships
Learn how to use technology to build better relationships
Be a Better Course Designer
Learn how to support instruction with specific technology
Increase Student Learning
Learn how to increase student engagement and learning in on-line and blended learning environments
Teachers are playing a new role in school. Learning environments now require teachers to be both nurturers and protectors. A new 'playbook', developed by experienced educational psychologists, outlining a set of appropriate responses to school crisis now exists. A must-read for all teaching staff before the crisis occurs.
