Co-constructive Tool

ICT as a co-constructive tool

The fourth tool of ICT is co-constructive tool. It is a tool which enables the learner and user to support the knowledge through collaboratively sharing their ideas for a particular topic. If we use ICT as a co-constructive tool in the learning classroom, it helps the users to obtain a validate and various information from others. Moreover, upon constructed knowledge and ideas by others, the learner can edit, add new ideas and give constructive feedback so that the work becomes very informative.

There are many applications which enable the learner to co-construct the ideas and knowledge. They are Google docs, electronic whiteboard, blogs, wikis and discussion forum on portals. These provide platforms for the learner to gets more opportunities to work collaboratively and interactively with other users.   

To elaborate about benefits of using ICT as a co-constructive tool in the lesson/classroom, it provides a platform for both the teacher and the student to read the information, give supportive feedback and edit for better comprehension. For the teachers, it gives new ideas on how to go about the lesson and how to make the lesson more interactive. When it comes to students, it provides a forum to share their ideas and knowledge with each other. It allows the student and the teacher to analyze and synthesize the information. Therefore, it’s very useful for both the teachers and the students in working collaboratively.

The other importance of using ICT as co-constructive tools are, it enhance collaborative learning environment through exchange of ideas and information. It helps learners to actively engage in explanation, problem solving and upcoming new ideas. Through these, the learner can develop themselves as expertise and identify the areas they can improve with the help of others.   

Example of co-constructive tool

Reflection on constructive tool

Constructive tool

From various tools of ICT, here I will more reflect on ICT as constructive tools in the classroom. this is an application which allows learners to research on their studies using wide range of resources from the internet. Therefore, the teachers’ role is to guide and facilitate where as learner actively engage in constructing their own knowledge and making meaning of on their own.

There are many examples of constructive tools such as, electronic bulletin board, MS publisher, multimedia authoring tools, simulation and social networking sites. The social networking site consists of blogs, facebook and twitter. Those applications allow a learner to manipulate the information from the internet. Moreover, it helps in visualizing learners understanding of the information so that they can construct their meaning and knowledge.

Teacher can integrate the ICT in the classroom to construct the knowledge and idea through the use of various applications. For example; word, spread sheet and PowerPoint helps learner to organize, record, manipulate and present their ideas in an attractive forms of report, letters and presentation through the use of desktop publishing. Furthermore, if we integrate the ICT in the classroom as a constructive tools, students will be fully engaged and actively participate in the learning. This keeps the learner to generate new ideas and knowledge on their own.

As 21^st century pedagogy emphasize on student centered learning, the ICT as a constructive tools helps in constituting a shift from teacher to learner centered pedagogy. Here students can learn through exploration and hands in experience rather than memorizing and rote learning. In this way, learners are the creator of their own ideas and ICT helps them to construct more complex and critically challenging ideas to work on. 

Example of simulation