‘The art and science of teaching’

The title of this blog refers to the term ‘pedagogy’. Pedagogy is the art and science of how something is taught and how students learn it. Pedagogy includes how the teaching occurs, the approach to teaching and learning, the way the content is delivered and what the students learn as a result of the process. In this blog I summarize 5 pedagogical approaches. Because technology influences and changes the pedagogical approaches, I describe how each pedagogical approach can be supported in an environment such as Blackboard. In the conclusion I review the different approaches.

Collaborative learning

Collaborative learning is an educational approach to teaching and learning that involves groups of students working together to solve a problem, complete a task, or create a product. According to Gerlach (1994) ‘collaborative learning is based on the idea that learning is a naturally social act in which the participants talk among themselves’.

Instead of meeting eachother in real life, the students can ‘meet’ eachother on blackboard. They can use a forum for exchange of solutions or ideas. The use of blackboard makes the learning flexibel, because it is not necessary that the students are present at the same time.

Inquiry learning

Inquiry learning is ‘open learning’. Open learning is when there is no prescribed target that students have to achieve. A teacher present a question and students search for information to answer the question. Because there is no one path the students can follow to find the solution, students have ownership of their learning.

Just like collaborative learning, the students can use a forum to exhange their ideas. A workplace on the blackboard would be useful. The students can leave their findings here.

Problem-based learning

Actually, the term ‘problem-based learning’ is very clear. The students start with a problem. An important key is that the problem should be meaningful for them. Students can collaborate to find the solution. Normally, there are many different ways to find the solution, so the students construct their own knowledge and skills. The problem is approached from different points of view, so it adds to different subjects. The teacher is more a guide than a leader.

Blackboard can be used as a medium to ‘talk’ with eachother, for example by using a forum. Also the teacher can use blackboard to describe the problem.

Traditional learning

When I think of traditional learning, I see a class of 30 students who sit in rows of 2. The teacher gives the instruction, and the students are quiet and listen. All students in a classroom are taught the same material. The knowledge is tested by written assignments. There is little or no attention to social development.

By the use of blackboard, the pedagogical approach traditional learning can change a bit. Instead of using only textbooks, the teacher can decide to put some articles on the blackboard which the students have to read.

Workplace learning

Workplace learning is learning at a real workenvironment. It means that students also learn on a workplace and not just on the educational institute like a University. An example of workplace learning is an internship.

By using Blackboard, the student and the teacher can communicate with eachother. The student can hand in assignments on blackboard and the teacher can give feedback on that assignment. It would be nice if the facilitator, who guides the student at the workfloor, has also the possibility to use blackboard. Then he can read the assignments and feedback as well. The facilitator can use the feedback for his guidance of the student.

When I look at these 5 approaches, the role of the teacher in traditional learning is different compared by the other 4 approaches. A teacher who gives a traditional lesson is a leader, while in the other 4 approaches, he is more a guide or mentor. He coaches the students.

I have no preference for one of these approaches, but I like workplace learning. When I speak for myself and look at my previous study, I have learned most during my internship, so it was very useful for me. I think it is nice that a teacher combines different approaches. Sometimes traditional learning can be handy, for example if you want to teach something that is new for everyone. But this approach is maybe not very attractive for the students, so there must be variation.

Reference:

Gerlach, J.M. (1994). Is this collaboration? New Directions for Teaching and Learning No. 59.