Educational Constructs
Creativity
is very important as one of the core constructs. I was actually inspired
actually studying children's literature. One of the things children
love is creativity they have, there is definitely an immeasurable
amount of it. As teachers I think we are able to tap just the surface
of it. In children's literature, I fine that magic and imagination
help develop a child's intelligence. I have found this to be true
in video games, fantasy and adventure books. For example, I have seen
the miracles of the Harry Potter series. It let magic and imagination
of wizards and witches to encourage children to read. It helped many
readers that did not want to read until they heard about Harry Potter.
This, I think was great in discovering the creativity in every child.
As I see this in children I agree that Graham Wallis theory of Creativity
do come from the four stages of creative process. They are the preparation,
incubation, illumination, and verification stages. When we look at
a creative process of solving problems we see the stages. We find
out the problem, step away and ponder the problem, brainstorm solutions,
then apply the best solution.
Inquiry
based learning is a tremendous contribution to education of children
and adults. It gives new meaning to Curious George. I have experienced
this type of learning through my own ventures. In this process an
individual discovers his own study and develops it in his/her facts
through experiments. After accomplishing this task he/she shares the
discoveries of the subjects they learned about. My example of this
would be the study of crystals. I found out how they were formed.
The process in, which they were formed, was interesting. I understood
the discovery of structure of their formation. The type of learning
inspires student to go beyond shape and colors, it encourages them
to experiment and test. It also gives the students ownership and practices
their choice of study. It is a good way of learning through your own
inquiries. This was of course was influenced by on one of the earlier
philosopher/theorist of the education system, John Dewy. He gave educators
foresight in inquiry based learning. He related the experiences of
child-based learning to constructivism. The experiences of the real
world help a child to learn. If a child can relate to it he understands
it. Curiosity did not kill the cat but made him smarter.
Multimedia
in education is a great tool in teaching students. In technology multimedia
is important because it allows children to learn through a different
medium. I see that children learn how to read in various ways. While
using computers a child is able to read through repetition and recognition.
A young student reads the Cat in the Hat he made have trouble reading
by himself. If the computer reads with him and goes over the words
continuously then he is able to read better. It also helps student
read better through visual means. The child maybe a visual reader
and not a literal reader, the reading on screen may come easier to
him. This is good for readers that need more practice or visual cues.
As different types of multimedia emerge through education, we find
that it is a common view. J.L.Memke describes multimedia as an embryo
emerging into a large system. I agree with this because who knows
what technologies will do in the future, it will grow because it is
still in it young stages. If it will help education imagine now, what
it will do in the future.
Multiple
intelligences are important because it help teachers see that
intelligence can be measured in all the multiple intelligences. There
are nine ways other than just reading and writing. This really was
nice to know. After reading an article about a student named Anthony,
this really inspired me. It was about a student who was being passed
through all the classes because of his slow learning. They did not
think much of him. His teacher had discovered that he was very talented
in music. He had an ear for music. Anthony can repeat music without
music sheets. We still see this through people like Stevie Wonder,
Beethoven, and Amadeus. These people have intelligences other than
academics. Even as we see there were many people who were very intelligent
without being smart in school. Don't forget Steven Hawkins, and Einstein.
This is very special because it tells us that people have other intelligences
other than just academic studies. Theses intelligences can help teachers
help students through difference mediums of expression through learning.
It can also help teachers be more flexible with the students. Howard
Gardener is an advocate in this great field he developed the several
of measuring intelligence other than just academically. They are linguistic,
logical-mathematical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal,
interpersonal, naturalist, and existentialist. There are ways of looking
at children through intelligences. The children express them in many
ways such as dance, music and art. I agree with his points of view
too.
References:
1. http://.firstmonday.dk/issues/issue2_11/radford/
2.
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~caveman/Creative/Basics/index.html
3.
http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/month6/
4.
http://www.thomasarmstrong.com/multiple_intelligences.htm