Module 1 Activity 8 – Piaget’s theory of cognitive development

 After the activity:

What I think I can apply to my teaching based on Piaget’s ideas:

·                  Observe the learning behaviours of the learners, and structure teaching according to the experiences and interests of the learners.

·         Use anecdotal record to assess learner’s development and focus on what they can do at each stage of development.

·         Allow my learners to demonstrate their learning achievements and competence in whatever manner most appropriate (suitable) to their abilities.

·         Incorporate more discovery learning – give students the opportunity to initiate plans for projects or activities, let them implement their plans by working in learning centers and with classmates and me (teacher) to review what they have done.

Since knowledge is gained through interaction with others, group students into mixed ability groups instead of homogeneous so that they can learn from each other. 

Self activity:

Module 1 Activity 7 – Collaborative learning:

What I have learnt about collaborative/cooperative learning when teaching with ICT"

• it provides opportunities for active engagement
• it is an instructional strategy that can benefit diverse or large groups
• it promotes understanding, shared responsibility and academic achievement
• it encourages the construction and discovery of knowledge
• it promotes personal transactions among students and between teacher and students
• it increases motivation and develop positive attitudes towards learning

For this strategy to be effective and successful, it is essential that students learn skills that will enable them to work cooperatively in groups.

Module 4- Activity 2 – What we assess

What I have learnt about  what we can assess:

• how students interact with each other as they work on creating media literacy
• how students demonstrate problem solving skills
• how students collaborate in gathering information to complete projects  
• how students communicate with each other while designing a collage using pictures from a field trip
• how learners contribute to class discussion
• how learners demonstrate and understanding of a concept
• how learners learn and cooperate with each other as they create a picture dictionary
• how they demonstrate knowledge of phonological awareness

We can assess how students use Bloom’s cognitive domain: define, identify, list, locate, recall, compare, summarise, explain, convert, apply, calculate, practice, demonstrate, analyse, contrast, deduce, differentiate, distinguish, infer, compose, create, design, formulate, produce, rearrange appraise, assess, critique, judge, support

Areas of assessment practice that I could address:

Peer and self assessment, the use of anecdotal records, portfolio assessment and rubric and checklist for student use.

Module 4 - Activity 1 – Reflecting on your assessment practice

What I have learnt about my assessment practice:

My assessment practice is more teacher-centred, using a combination of behaviouristic and cognitive skills  approach.  I should therefore create an environment for the practice to be more student-centred – providing more opportunities for students to engage in critical thinking and problem solving, reflecting, peer teaching and learning from each other.