ICT for Meaningful Learning

(Sorry for the wordy post!)

It is definitely easier for me to see the possibilities of using different teaching approaches in the classroom when they are categories into:

Case-based learning
Inquiry-based learning
Project-based leaning
Resource-based learning
Game-based learning

Have you come across any of the pedagogical approaches as a student? What was your experience like?
We are constantly relying on some of these pedagogical approaches unknowingly to exchange information and learn from each other. From my past experience either as a student or as a teacher, project-based, inquiry-based, cased-based and resource-based learning was most commonly used in the classroom. Whereas game-based learning was not as popular. I am anticipating session 6 of our ICT course as I have yet to try any game-based teaching and learning.

Like what Atika has mentioned, most of us are tied down with project-based learning most of the time. I figured it may be deemed as the most beneficial and efficient approach to be carried out during lessons. It is a good way of ensuring that every student is participating if the project is to be completed in groups. It also allows us to understand how our classmates think when tackling certain question, in another words, know more about each other.


What do you think is the relationship of these approaches?
I feel that all of the approaches requires students to explore and pursue information and knowledge. Students have a better chance of remembering what they have learned through their own experience of pursuing information.


Case-based learning, similar to problem-based learning, requires students to imagine themselves in the narrative and looks at the problem from different perspectives. This process of imagination compels students to think and search for a solution by using supporting studies/research.

The definition of inquiry-based learning as seen from the ICT manage class page (Amanda's group), is to 'gather information and data through applying the human senses -- seeing, hearing, touching, tasting, and smelling'. Evidently, teachers do not give direct instructions while students are encouraged to utilize their senses and various ICT tools to acquire answers.

I feel that it is most effective to encourage group work for project-based learning. It allows a group of students to progress together, interacting and experiencing the problems, questions and knowledge enquiry. Students will commonly search for the required information through the Internet or through books. PBL also promotes collaborative learning.

Resource-based learning is present in most of the other approaches. It is the resource component of student's learning process where students exanimate the appropriate information from media, printed/reading materials, websites as well as human resources like interviews, shadowing artist or teachers.

Game-based learning motivates students to learn important knowledge while they play or provides a form of training for certain skills or techniques. Through playing games, students are able to enjoy themselves while learning from their mistakes (when they have lost in the game).


Note that there is only little participation of the teacher role in these approaches.

Another aspect is that they are all alternatives to a 'chalk and talk' approach, which is less interactive and not as interesting. As what Atika have said, they are student centered as compared to traditional teacher led lessons.


What roles do the various ICT tools play in these approaches?
ICT allows learners to acquire information in a very short time as compared to books. It will minimize the time constraint that students normally face during the learning progress. ICT tools are also a vital part of fast and efficient communication (between student and student or teacher and student) as it can be access anytime anywhere. By 'anywhere', I refer to the wireless network connection that is available at many areas of Singapore now. I was surprised to find that even one of the coffee shop (those that are affectionately called 'kopitiam') in Clementi is equipped with WIFI. Lastly, ICT tools can be utilized for managing any of the learning approaches and also managing student's reflective processes in a systematic manner.