what is meaningful learning?

What is Meaningful Learning?

Nicky Stratton

Meaningful Learning

• Requires learners who are active• Actively engaged by a meaningful

task• Tasks which they can manipulate

objects and parameters of the environment they work in

• Observe the results of their manipulations.

Characteristics of Meaningful Learning.

• Synergetic• One or more of these present =

meaningful learning will occur.• Interrelated• Interactive• Interdependent

Active Learning. Known as manipulative or

observant.Promotes thinking.Learning is natural

.actively manipulating objects and observing what they

have done..

Constructive Learning

• Articulate/reflective learning• Encourage reflection on learning by

children• Activity is necessary but not sufficient

for learning.• Integrate new experiences with prior

knowledge• Establish learning goals = meaningful

learning.

Intentional Learning• Goal directed/Regulatory• User knows the end• Think and learn more by fulfilling

their goal.• Using computers for planning

everyday tasks – learning meaningfully.

Authentic Learning

• Complex/contextual• Realistic for children• Relevant / real life• Relate ideas to real-world contexts• Simulations or problem-based

learning• Transferred to new situations• Create an authentic experience

Cooperative Learning

• Collaborative/Conversational• Engaged• Group work/small groups• Naturally work together• Seek out others for help• Connect learners in same classroom,

across town or around the world.

How does Technology Facilitate Learning?

• Use the computer to represent what they know, not what the teachers or textbooks tell them!

• Provides rich and flexible media for learning.

• Think that technologies are learning tools that students learn with, not from = nature of learning will change!

It’s all about the thinking!

• Students learn from thinking• Thinking about what they are doing• Thinking about what they believe• Thinking about what others have

done and believe• Just thinking and reasoning• LEARNING RESULTS FROM

THINKING!

TECHNOLOGY ENGAGING LEARNERS

• Technology cannot teach students• Learners teach the technology• Meaningful learning will result when

technologies engage learners by:• Knowledge construction, not reproduction• Conversation, not reception• Articulation, not repetition• Collaboration, not competition• Reflection, not prescription

Finally

• TECHNOLOGIES ARE LOUSY TEACHERS, BUT THEY CAN PROVIDE POWERFUL TOOLS TO THINK WITH!