On : The Online Learning Environment

Reading 3 : The Online Learning Environment

How can we as teachers make the best use of the Internet to enhance classroom learning and teaching? To maximize learning in an online environment , appropriate scaffolding mechanisms need to be developed. The Behaviourism and Cognitive Theory(CT) approach of learning seems to be the preferred adopted approaches in our local classroom setting. The Constructivist (C) approach, however seems to lend itself better to the online learning environment. The internet is able to provide for a highly complex interconnected information environment and the Cognitive Constructivism approach which combine CT and C approach is best suited to facilitate online learning. Online learning needs to be balanced with some form of socialization and that’s where new platforms like Facebook, Blogging, Twitter, IM ect come into play. Such an approach, called Social Constructivism sees learning being internalized through social interactions using such platforms. This is the approach taken by Dr Quek in Med858.

Question
1. MOE is providing all the necessary ICT infrastructures especially with IT MasterPlan 3 which rolled out last year. The current generation of students are IT-savvy and are quick to pick up new ICT tools. Are teachers in a position to exploit this and use ICT as a tool to reach out to the students.