Engaged Learning Simulation
In this activity, participants play the role of a K-12 student. As participants
take part in a technology-integrated lesson, they will be considering the
lesson from the perspectives of the student and a classroom teacher. A whole
group debriefing follows the lesson simulation.
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Explain to participants that they will be spending the next 30 minutes in an
engaged learning simulation.
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Introduce the Educator Objectives.
As educators, participants will work to meet the following objectives:
- Define constructivist learning
- Discuss the merits and challenges of collaborative/cooperative learning
- Provide examples of classroom environments that support technology-enhanced
engaged learning
- Evaluate the current use of technology (for learning) in classroom/school
- Articulate a vision for technology integration/infusion into learning
opportunities for all students
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Explain that participants will also think about the engaged learning simulation
from the point of view of students. As a student, reflect on the following
aspects of the lesson:
- Opportunities for active engagement
- Interest of the content and activities
- Opportunities for collaboration
- Range and variety of the topics studied
- Technologies used in the lessons
- Relevance of the content to students' lives
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The Plumb Online Visual Thesaurus uses spatial maps which allow students to
explore, study, and analyze the structure of language by showing the
relationships between words. Access the online visual thesaurus at
http://www.visualthesaurus.com/
Use the lesson, "What Does this Word
Mean?!?" Shakespeare, Difficult Language, and a Visual Thesaurus, to
demonstrate this software. It is not necessary for the participants to complete
the entire lesson. The goal is for participants to experience a
technology-integrated lesson.
Tips for navigating the visual thesaurus.
- Type a word in the text box in the upper left corner and click on "LOOK IT UP"
button.
- Related words appear on an interactive semantic map.
- The semantic map allows the participant to see the relationships between words.
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Use the following questions for debriefing participants. Record responses for
each question on the corresponding Engaged Learning Simulation PowerPoint
slides. (Engaged Learning Simulation.ppt)
As an alternative to the PowerPoint responses could be recorded on chart paper,
overhead, or white board/chalk board.
- What are some of the characteristics of engaged learning?
- What are some of the challenges to providing an engaged learning environment
for students?
- What role did technology play in the lesson?
- How could the lesson be extended?
- How could the lesson be improved?
This activity is adapted from the Ohio LIT curriculum. For more information
about the Ohio LIT project visit
http://www.etech.ohio.gov/programs/ohiolit/index.jsp.