Learning Sciences

The article totally reflects my opinions about blended learning. Technology integration is necessary but to what extent?

I agree with you Sermin, use of technology is considered as a must for effective instruction by most of the teachers nowadays. However, in some cases using traditional methods and techniques can be more feasible, cost-effective and practical.

Here is the reminder of 12 different learning styles and how they intersect with Multiple Intelligences

The existence of learning styles is debatable if I am not mistaken or at least there are researchers arguing against categorizing learners according to these styles. Also there exists different categorizations for them. However it is also true that they are useful in the instruction process and teachers can make use of them if used effectively.

Yeah, I think most of the learning theories to some extent depend on or connect to the said learning styles such as problem-based learning, inquiry based learning or project-based learning. We cannot separate them from our instruction methods.

Hello Everybody, I am writing from the NTLS meeting that I am attending at Washington D.C. This meeting aims to shape some of the future ed tech initiatives. I will share things that I come across at this leadership meeting. It seems like STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) is one of the hot topics here. Another topic is TPACK and Rich Media Teaching Cases.

Experts tell how and what to do. You can find many topics ranging from car fixing to cooking. A unique online learning tool in Turkish almost about anything. To the ones intereseted in learning how to play football like Messi, I advise you to watch the following link :) http://www.uzmantv.com/nasil-messi-gibi-calim-atilir

Yesterday, I discovered this app which we can watch and learn from remarkable people in the world. A new way to learn something. You can use the app by downloading it to your smart phones.

I am actually great fan of the TED talks but never heard of the application before, thanks for sharing this, the talks are really influential I believe.

I am interested in social learning theory and this famous experiment can let us discuss this alternate view on learning in the classroom. Is it influential after 50 years?

Yes actually following this experiment, we know that it has been influential in education. But still today, it provides us with alternate views for our classrooms.

Canan, I think social learning theory will be alive until societies will die..:) Main concern of the theory is related to people who is living in the society. However we could not mention the social learning in online learning or distance education settings which is without interaction between learns and instruction. Interaction at least observation of someone leads revealing social learning in every settings.

I've watched the video twice and in the end I've felt some concerns about the results of the studies. In the "how people learn" part, researchers were testing the storage and connection system of the brain through some high-tech tools. However, does neuropsychology provide enough evidence on the functioning of the brains? Can we generalize the results to all people from all cultures? I am not the one who is against neuropsychology, but for me one discipline may not give an appropriate answer to such a deep question. My second concern is about the integration of computer programs into the curriculum as a major learning tool. We see a program where "Betty" is speaking and giving feedback on the video. The program seems user friendly, but what about the negative aspects and limitations of the integration of technology into learning? Ok, I agree that we have to adapt to the rapid technological changes in the society. However, is technology the key to all learning processes? Plus, the program is designed on the mapping of the concepts. Does concept mapping make a curriculum compelling all the time? I am not sure about all characteristics of the program, but if it hasn't been designed in a challenging style and if all students come up with the same products, then how will they develop their knowledge and reasoning abilities? I couldn't find an answer to that. As for the part "effective teaching", I am in the same opinion with the researchers that there should be a connection between the real world and the subject taught. Moreover, I think the integration of the disciplines is difficult but a very good way of giving meaning to life. Besides, in the video we see teachers as a guide, as a facilitator and there is no doubt that providing individual support to the students helps students feel more involved.

Firstly, even if it is designed by utilizing modern technology and different understanding, which makes it a more developed and complicated one, the program used in the video reminded me the teaching machines of old times. It gives the priority to the cognitive aspect of learning. This seems to be a one-dimensional approach which underestimates the social aspect of learning. I think the value of classroom interaction for effective learning cannot be replaced by any kind of computer programs. Research on brain is really important and it provides very useful insights for learning and instructional activities. However, it should be supported by the findings of research by social psychologists as well. The very same individual may perform at varying levels when he is taught with the same methods in different environments. I personally experienced many times that even the absence of one individual in my classes affected the teaching an learning processes in a negative or positive way depending upon the classroom dinamics.

For those interested in the science of babies.

Hocam I cannot believe the results of the study. It is really amazing. The babies are smarter that adults and knows statistics. The saying of lean mean machine to adult brain is interesting. Now I am looking for the study is about babies and statistics, I really wonder this one. Thanks for your sharing. And I found another video of Dr. Alison Gopnik about baby thinking as a scientists..:) http://www.ted.com/talks/alison_gopnik_what_do_babies_think.html

This video made me question the role of education in children's life again.I think formal education is the biggest barrier for children who have natural abilities to learn. The education system is limiting children's potential and killing their imagination and curiostiy which make them excellent learners indeed. Do you think the school provides them proper opportunities to explore and to learn? I don't think students can learn in our "boring" classes where they are grouped on their ages rather than their abilities.

Children and safety in the traffic is a highly important topic in Australia. Tram is a highly new transport system in Queensland state ss they haven't had a tram before, So, they want to teach students tram safety.

Project Noah is a tool to explore and document wildlife and a platform to harness the power of citizen scientists everywhere. You can explore and document and share the wildlife around you.

İbrahim, we used Project Noah in one of projects at Canada. It was one of the most preferred app for the preservice science teachers. They recommended using the app for inquiry based learning activities. I especially like the biodiversity map here. Such a useful tool for science classrooms.

This is an example of learning on an Island of Expertise. For example: A child is interested in dinosaur. The parents maybe make some activities which build an island of expertise. Activities could be a visit in a museum or a movie about the topic.

Similar projects can be done at schools about the animals or things around us (like visiting a dog barn or visiting a factory). Such visits may help students get motivated about the world around them.

and it is in Ankara!!!

This is an easy explanation of the differences between two pioneers in the field of LS

I like this web site. Used some of the examples and resources in my educational psychology course. Thanks for sharing.

Here I share a report on informal science learning. The report synthesizes research on science learning across three primary venues--everyday/family life, designed experiences in informal institutions, and out-of-school programs. The evidence presented suggests that learners' informal experiences with science, from museum visits to television shows to observations in nature, contribute strongly scientific knowledge and engagement. I agree with the fact that such informal experiences boost learning, especially science and additionally language learning.