Article Critique

Article Summary

       In the article that was assigned " Online Learning Propelled by Constructivism", it focused on how Constructivism; an old teaching philosophy dating back to Socrates and Plato, have been on the rise in online teaching. The article compared between the traditional teaching approach and the constructivist approach, where students construct their learning process and the teacher plays a role of the guider and not the giver. Students become active participants rather than a passive listener, as well as bring about higher order skills in the learning process. However, it wasn't only focused on the positivity of the constructivist approach but also considered the limitations to it. They have considered the fact that not all students can have the resources needed for the teachers to follow the constructivist approach. Although technology is on the rise, they believed that technology should be  lead by pedagogy and not the other way around. It was also shown how technology's evolution from the 18th century till the 21st century. In conclusion it showed the importance of the constructivist approach in teaching-learning process. 

     After reading the article and highlighting some main important points, a discussion took place afterwards and was divided into 3 rounds; I was the Time keeper as well as a participant. 

    In Round 1 (What we agree on) : After each participant has actively pinpointed the points agreed on, it was summarized as follows. We agreed that the constructivist approach is more effective in the teaching-learning process since it turns the student from a passive listener to an active participant and    on-task, allowing them to construct their own learning by research and reach out to knowledge as wide as possible, in addition to the building of higher order skills (critical thinking, analysis, creation). We also agreed that their are certain limitations to the constructivist approach online, including the fact that not everyone have access to technology based on their economic status, not everyone have the competency of using the computer and be fully independent on using it. Lastly, the teacher should use the constructivist approach in parallel with the learning objectives that should be met and the pedagogy should be leading the technology.  

     In Round 2 (What we Disagree on): After each participant have provided their opinion, we all agreed on the fact that constructivist approach depends on the teacher's personality and belief, it is a choice and many teachers still use the traditional teaching method during online or distant learning process.

    In Round 3 (Would I implement as a teacher?) :  I, as a future teacher would certainly apply the constructivist approach in my teaching, because I want to build students to their full potential, I want to teach them on how they can be Independent of the teacher's limited information, how they can expand their knowledge and show them the beauty of research and hard work. Education is about shaping and building the minds of our youngsters, and if I depend on teaching them about topics that they are not going to use in their real life is a waste of time for them. In addition, as a teacher I will be teaching them on how to be digital citizens, as well as how to use the computer quite efficiently to be able to apply the constructivist approach. One way I could implement this approach is through Web Quests.  

      In conclusion, the Constructivist approach is a revolution by itself, and it depends on the teacher's belief and pedagogy on weather to apply this approach in teaching or not. It rises the student's interest in subjects, it rises their critical thinking and higher order skills, and it shapes the minds of our youngsters as well as teaching them on how to search for their own answers. It is one of the best approaches to be used in teaching. 

  Acknowledgements: 

   - I would like to thank Dr. Amal Farhat for this Interesting assignment and Discussion.

   - I would like to thank my Team members; May Sabra and Taif Sleiman for making the discussion highly interesting. 

                                                                                                                       - Dana Molla-