One approach to learning is by defining
one’s preferred learning style or styles. Teachers will then try to match the
preferred learning styles of the students to the teaching. You may read more
about learning styles in the first virtual session post and learning styles post.
Another
way to differentiate learning is by separation of learning methods. In
entrepreneurship education teachers are encouraged to use different methods of
teaching. Below I have listed learning methods that are encouraged in
entrepreneurship education. Precisely these methods were listed in a survey
conducted by Lappeenranta University of Technology and Kerho keskus ry where
343 elementary and upper secondary school teachers participated in a web-based
survey about their methods and activities during the last 6 months in
2009-2010. The top of the list represents the most popular methods for the teachers and
the bottom end lists the least popular methods.
1. learning by
doing
2. problem
based learning
3.
co-operative learning
4. learning by
developing
5. creative
problem solving
6. learning in
teams
7. peer
learning
8. project
based learning
9. real world
simulation
10. e-learning
11. learning
diaries, portfolios
12. debates
13. pedagogical drama
You may read more about the study in Pihkala et all.
2011. Entrepreneurship Education - What Is Really Happening in Class Rooms? The above mentioned learning methods activate
the students to take part in their own learning process. They encourage a learning
environment which is not based on endless teacher lectures. The majority of these methods are collaborative but individual
learning is also used. Especially e-learning is excellent for learning at an
individual level. Educational technology provides a great tool to strengthen
students weak areas.
There is a lot going
on in e-learning at the moment. There is e.g. the Molla project for pre-school
children. Molla (media,
participation, child) – project started in 2011 and is funded by the Finnish
national board of education. The aim of the project is to introduce ICT (tablets and digital cameras) to
pre-school children in a safe and participative environment. The project is produced
in co-operation with Turku Top-centre and Viikki Campus of the University of
Helsinki and is implemented in Lappeenranta, Lemi, Savitaipale and Taipalsaari
regions.
On elementary school level there are seven schools in Vantaa participating
in a pilot project where ICT is being used in order to support individual
learning. One example of this is Havukoski school where they matched the students
learning styles and placed the students in four different groups based on the
findings. One of the main ideas is to develop teaching practices where ICT (laptops)
are being used to support different learners.
There are a lot going on in the e-learning field, which is good, but it takes time to get the big
picture.
I’m looking forward to see what teaching and learning is like in my
teacher practice school. I am very eager to dig into it and am determined to find suitable methods to teach depending on the subject.
References:
Molla (Media, osallisuus, lapsi). Retrieved on 17 December 2012 from http://molla.ejuttu.fi/molla-media-education-kindergarten
Pihkala et all 2011.Entrepreneurship Education - What Is Really Happening in Class Rooms? Retrieved on 17 December 2012 from http://developmentcentre.lut.fi/files/muut/YKTT_2011_Lappeenranta_E_E.pdf
Pihkala et all 2011.Entrepreneurship Education - What Is Really Happening in Class Rooms? Retrieved on 17 December 2012 from http://developmentcentre.lut.fi/files/muut/YKTT_2011_Lappeenranta_E_E.pdf
Tieto- ja Viestintätekniikka opetuksen eriyttämisen tukena. "Jokaiselle jotakin -oppilaiden oppimistyylit verkkopohjaisen oppimisen taustalla". Retrieved on 17 December 2012 from http://www.edu.vantaa.fi/tvt/?p=43
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