Knowledge Construction and Collaborative Learning Spaces
There's a lot that contributes to a person's knowledge construction and learning. Mark Gura explains that there are "necessary elements for a fertile learning environment" (2016, p. 55). He explains that, when used and presented properly, collaborative learning and digital tools has beneficial potential for learning. He explains that using digital tools combined with collaborative learning can create a freeing scenario for students to expand the boundaries of time and space. He also claims that "technology has vastly improved the options and reach available to students" (2016, p. 59). This relates to one of the ISTE standards and is supported by research from "The National Academies Press" presented in How People Learn II: Learners, Contexts, and Cultures (2018).
One of the ISTE standards, 1.1.b, that falls under "Empowered Learner," states, "Students build networks and customize their learning environments in ways that support the learning process." When students are able to collaborative on their own timing in their own spaces, as Gura explains (2016, pps. 55-62), they have more freedom and are customizing their learning environments. Research has demonstrated that students who have been able to space out their learning or work at their own pace have higher retention and better academic performance than those that put all their learning in one period (2018, p. 99). The book also explains that the practices of "self-explanation" and students being able to teach what they learn are highly effective strategies for learning. These are examples of being an "empowered learner" and being able to "take an active role" in their learning, as stated in the ISTE standards for students.
The following infographic briefly explains the connections between the ISTE standards, Gura's writing, and How People Learn II.
References:
Gura, Mark. 2016. Make, Learn, Succeed: Building a Culture of Creativity in Your School. International Society for Technology in Education.
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine 2018. How People
Learn II: Learners, Contexts, and Cultures. Washington, DC: The National
Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/24783.
You have a nice explanation and infographic. I like the connections to learning that you have mentioned, however, the one that stuck with me most was the comment on how many different things contribute to successful learning, such as sleep. This is so true. We teachers can create a perfect environment and a perfect lesson, but there will always be factors beyond our control. This is one of the reasons why I believe in second chances in my classroom. I know that I am not always at my best when I need to be, so it stands to reason that students are that way too. If we allow them to redo something when they are more on their games, we will have a more accurate picture of authentic learning and build relationships.
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